Breaking free from hunger

In the scenic mountains of San José del Rincón, Mexico, 42-year-old Sosanna has spent nearly three decades building a livelihood alongside her husband, caring for animals such as sheep, cows, and horses. With the majestic mountains, towering trees, and fresh air surrounding her home, Sosanna’s life appears calm and picturesque—but beneath the beauty lies a struggle to provide for her family. 

Sosanna and her husband, Saudin, have eight children, though grief has struck their family twice with the loss of two. Today, three of their children live with them along with their two-year-old grandson, Carlos, who was often mistaken as the twin of their youngest child, three-year-old William.  

Her husband works as a bricklayer and a maize farmer. Together, they tend their animals, which they sell for food consumption. Admittedly, Sosanna says their income is not enough to sustain their daily needs. 
 

 

One day, Sosanna walked through the town centre and came across VF Mexico’s office. Curious, she inquired about their financial services and soon took out her first loan of MXN 10,000 ($495). She used this loan to invest in her business by purchasing four sheep. When she completed the first cycle, she took a second loan of the same amount, allowing her to buy another four sheep. 

Sosanna said the sheep were a good investment because they were easy to care for and needed only grass for food. Eventually, she earned income from selling the animals, which allowed her to provide food for her family.  

"Our daily meals increased from two to three," she said. She also used the profits to buy school supplies for her children. 

Setback, however, struck her family when her 13-year-old daughter suffered an accident, dislocating her hip. A year later, she needed surgery on her ovary. These two happenings caused her daughter to stop schooling. With no emergency savings, Sosanna had to sell all her animals to cover the medical expenses. The financial strain also forced her seven-year-old son to drop out of school. 

Now, the family relies mainly on her husband’s bricklaying work to meet both ends. Despite all these hardships, Sosanna knows the importance of financial services in securing a better future for her children. She dreams of rebuilding her business once again and ensuring a stable income. For her, these are the keys to providing healthy and nutritious food, quality education, and fullness of life for her children. 

 

 

This is the core mission of VisionFund and World Vision’s ENOUGH Campaign, which aims to end child hunger and malnutrition. The campaign highlights the critical role of financial inclusion and sustainable livelihoods in equipping families with the tools to overcome food insecurity. VisionFund empowers families like Sosanna to build resilience and a sustainable future by providing financial services.  

Though challenges remain, Sosanna refuses to lose hope. With access to financial services, Sosanna hopes to reinvest in her livestock, send her children back to school, and build a future from poverty and economic uncertainty.