Marlon Sevilla Rodriguez, 21-year old bike repairman, is proud of his accomplishments of the past year.

He became a client of FUNDENUSE, Katalysis' Partner in Ocotal, Nicaragua a few years ago. He has received four loans to-date. The first loan for 2000 cordobas ($160) he repaid on time.

His subsequent loans have all been repaid ahead of schedule; and his current loan of C$10,000 ($800) is well on its way to repayment.

How has he built his business? Slowly. First he built the small repair "house" for his business and added a roof. Then he purchased some basic bike repair equipment, like the vise to hold parts of the bikes upon which he is working; and now he carries a small inventory of bike parts and add-ons.

The day we were visiting he was repairing and adjusting a new bike while his customer looked on. His mother poked her head in, too, to smile proudly at her son and to say hello to us. He has managed to improve the kitchen of the home they share, as well as to acquire a small stereo for himself and a small refrigerator in his shop.

What is his dream? To have a larger shop of his own and to be able to sell new bikes himself. With his record of accomplishments in one year, Marlon has a realizable dream in focus.

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