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| A Publication of Floresta USA, Inc. |
Fall 2001 |
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 Q: What is your job with Floresta?
A: I work as a motivator and a credit officer with groups in the field and the office. I explain the significance of credit, and how to pay a loan back. I work in the office and file all the reports which the field supervisors send in.Q: What is it you like best about your job?
A: I love practically all aspects of the job. Before, I didn't have much expertise in this field. Now, thanks to the training I've received, I enjoy all the work I do. I particularly enjoy working with the people, to teach them what I have learned myself.
Q: Why are you happy all the time?
A: What makes me happy? Because I am working in my own region, with my own people. I'm not in a school, just sitting and learning, but out in the communities. I have gained knowledge, and I am sharing what I have learned here. And because I am serving God, too. God is in my heart, and this makes me even happier.
Q: Has your family participated in the Floresta program?
A: Yes. A number of members of my family have participated in the Floresta program. My wife, four of my brothers and sisters. It helps them, because of the training. I learn something, teach my wife, and we can work together sharing what we have learned. With credit, my wife receives credit, I receive credit, we pool these resources and that allows us to do something more, something greater. That means we can buy land, buy livestock, and my wife runs a business. This gives us the means to send our children to school. Our lives are better.
Q: Have you noticed any changes in the attitudes of the people in the various groups since the program began?
A: Yes. In the attitudes of people, there's a big change that has taken place. Because when the program started, there were many people who were afraid to speak, afraid to participate. But now they participate, respond to questions. And with the credit program, it makes people happy and their lives are starting to improve. And when we do work together, people bring what little they have in order for us to accomplish something together.
Q: Can you tell us the story of anyone who has really benefited from the program?
A: There are many stories. One story is of someone who planted squash on soil captured by a living barrier. From the squash he harvested, he gave squash away, he ate squash, and he sold the rest for 30 dollars. When he told me this story it made me happy. I felt encouraged to continue with the work I do.In the credit program, I feel it has personally helped me. Because thanks to the credit I have received, that my wife has received, we have put it to good use, and bought more land. I had not inherited land. I have purchased land, and rented land, and this allows me to farm. This means I have food to eat-all year round! I have food to sell, and give away. This makes me happy.
Q: Have you seen God working in the program?
A: We have seen God working in the program because as we collaborate, as a result of the training we have received, we see an improvement in people’s health. This we feel is a result of God's presence in the program. Also when we study the Bible with the groups or when we sing, the groups are happy. We see the program advancing and growing day by day and we feel it is the presence of God that allows this. And we see the possibility of the program growing in the region. Where the program has started, it won't stop there. As the program continues, we feel God is showering blessing on it, and will allow it to reach it's full potential.
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