Empowering artisans and preserving traditions

Each year, the state of Morelos in Mexico bursts with colour and rhythm as dancers in elaborate costumes and masks sweep through the streets. They are known as Chinelos, the traditional dancers popular during carnivals and pre-Holy Week festivities across the region.  

For 37-year-old Carla, Chinelos are more than a cultural heritage that dates back generations; it's her family's heart and life's work. Carla said her husband, Cesar, started this business eight years ago.  

Since then, they have been working together to grow their family's enterprise, patiently crafting these colourful costumes with their expert hands and pure artistry. Cesar lays the foundations of the designs by sketching, while Carla brings them to life with colourful shakira or beadwork.  

Behind the vibrant masks, however, lies a reality faced by many artisans and entrepreneurs: the need for financial access to capital to sustain and grow their businesses. Last year, Carla took a leap of faith by applying for her first loan from VisionFund Mexico, amounting to MXN 15,000 ($744). The loan provided just enough to stock up on raw materials and pay their six employees, all of whom are friends and family members. Since then, her commitment to building this business grew with subsequent loan cycles, the latest amounting to MXN 40,000 ($1,985).  

With this added support, Carla and Cesar can ensure their two children, ages one and eleven, receive good nutrition and education while also being able to put aside funds for emergencies. They sell each Chinelos costume at MXN 100,000 ($4,962), which usually takes one and a half months to finish.

Thanks to VisionFund, we have grown our business. We are now able to save a little for our children's education and provide them with nutritious food, 

Carla also expressed her appreciation to VisionFund loan officers.  

"They're always so respectful and genuinely supportive," she says. "VisionFund is here for those without financial options, especially for women."  

The business not only sustains Carla's family but also helps support the needs of their employees' families. It also promotes Morelos's artistry through every costume it creates, reaching clients in the United States.  

Each year, Carla and Cesar showcase their creations at local competitions during festivals, which help promote their business and boost their pride in keeping the Chinelos tradition alive. They also have a thriving social media presence, which enables them to attract clients all year round.

"We're so happy to work as a team," Cesar says. "Our business enables us to provide a good life for our family and helps others along the way."

VisionFund is committed to providing low-income families, especially women, with access to financial services so they can expand their businesses and provide a better quality of life for their children.  

Beyond this, Carla's story also shows that financial inclusion not only supports families but also preserves and enriches cultural traditions for generations to come.