Erika Eloísa Ramírez de Valiente lives in the district of Apopa, El Salvador. She shares her life with her husband and her siblings and is part of Mary’s Pence ESPERA partner organization, Alianza de Mujeres Organizadas Salvadoreñas (AMOS).
Like many women in El Salvador, Erika learned to make pupusas—El Salvador’s iconic dish—out of necessity. She observed other women who sold pupusas and taught herself by watching and practicing. This skill eventually led her to start a small business selling pupusas 13 years ago. However, economic instability and gang violence in the country forced her to pause for some time. Many small businesses have experienced extortion from gangs.
Three years ago, Erika joined the ESPERA Program, drawn by the opportunity to access credit and the sight of women gathering and learning together. She hoped to restart and grow her business—but what she found went far beyond what she had imagined. Erika discovered a true sense of community, where women support one another, grow together, and face challenges with resilience.
Through training, shared experiences, and the steady guidance of her local coordinator, she gained not only tools and knowledge but also the encouragement and confidence to keep going. “I discovered a space where women are truly uplifted—where we’re not only given tools and knowledge, but also the strength and encouragement to keep going despite difficulties,” said Erika.
Achieving a Major Milestone
After receiving her third ESPERA loan, Erika set a goal: to save enough money to buy the location she had been renting for her pupusa shop or pupusería ‘Bendición de Dios’ (Blessing of God). In just five months, she achieved her goal and purchased the small shop, situated on the side of prominent main street in Colonia Santa Teresa, Apopa.
Buying her own space was a significant milestone in Erika’s life. It marked a personal achievement and brought some financial relief—no longer paying rent meant she could save and reinvest in her business. The purchase allowed her to think more strategically, including building a financial safety net for emergencies.
After owning her pupusería and experiencing newfound economic stability, new dreams have sparked. Erika hopes to expand the space—pending municipal approval—and invest in a kitchen that will allow her to cook other snacks, such as fries and traditional treats. On a personal level, she also has goals: to improve her health, learn stress management techniques, and eventually take a well-deserved vacation.
Erika’s journey shows how access to credit, training, and a supportive community can transform a life. Through ESPERA, she found the power to grow, lead, and dream.