Facing a Barrier to Education
In Aldea El Triunfo, Guatemala, getting a notebook or a pencil wasn’t as simple as walking to the nearest store. Until recently, children and young people had to travel to Casa Grande or Buenos Aires—a long journey of about an hour—just to buy school supplies.
This reality limited access to education and created additional expenses for families. Many children couldn’t bring the materials their teachers requested because the distance and travel costs were prohibitive. For families without the means to make the trip, simply obtaining basic school supplies felt impossible.
Seeing Opportunity in a Challenge
It was during the training programs offered by 410 Bridge, such as Business Start-Up Training (BST) and Foundation for Farming, that Meily Danely Solís Figueroa realized this gap wasn’t just a problem—it was also a business opportunity.
With vision, faith, and determination, she decided to open the first bookstore in Aldea El Triunfo. What started as a solution to an urgent need soon became a project with economic, social, and personal impact.
Building a Business with Purpose
With an initial investment of just US$320, Meily launched a business that now allows dozens of children and young people to avoid long trips just to study. Thanks to the training programs provided by 410 Bridge, she gained not only technical knowledge in business, finance, and savings but also a new mindset of perseverance and service.
She learned to manage budgets, control both personal and business finances, and develop strategic saving habits. This financial discipline allowed her to formalize her business, issue invoices, and work with organizations—raising her monthly income from US$154 to US$192.
Expanding Services and Impact
Meily didn’t stop at selling school supplies. She invested in new services like binding, lamination, and photocopying, and she recently purchased a printer to offer printing services in the coming year.
Today, Meily supplies not only students but also local training sessions. She handles the binding, lamination, and supplies needed for the programs offered by 410 Bridge—including the very ones she once participated in. Her commitment reflects a clear purpose: to support her business while keeping resources within the community, strengthening both its economy and social fabric.
Faith and Family as a Compass
Putting God first has guided Meily in business and in life. Alongside her parents, who are community leaders, she applies the knowledge she has gained to strengthen the family’s agricultural business, specializing in tomato farming and fish breeding.
Dreams That Reach Beyond
Meily’s aspirations don’t stop here. She dreams of studying agronomy to use her land in a profitable and sustainable way and continuing to expand her bookstore so that no child in Aldea El Triunfo ever has to travel far for school supplies.
A Story of Transformation
Stories like Meily’s show that training, mentorship, and faith can transform realities. Thanks to the holistic community development programs of 410 Bridge, her community now has more opportunities, more hope, and a living example that with effort and vision, anything is possible.
Investing in people like Meily doesn’t just grow a business—it strengthens entire communities.
