Oniel and his brother Carlos were born and raised in the rural community of Valle los Morenos. They are both married, and they each have two young children. They are brothers, neighbors, and now business partners.
Before entering Business for Transformation, they both made modest livings through agriculture, but they struggled to provide for their families.
They were hopeful, however, because of their uncle Oscar, a man they both look up to who had previously worked with Amigos for Christ’s small business program. Oscar motivated them to be a part of their program, and they saw him as a role model when they joined the program in 2024.
The brothers received 2 pregnant pigs and the materials necessary to build a pig pen for them, and they were assigned an expert promoter to guide them through the process. They were able to pay for the pigs and materials in small installments over time. Now, each of those pregnant pigs has delivered two litters: the first pig delivered 11 and then 9 healthy piglets; the second delivered 9 and then 6 healthy piglets.
Oniel and Carlos were able to sell the piglets for c$2500 each, making a healthy profit. Their earnings were reinvested into their business, continuing to care for the reproducing pigs. Throughout the process, the brothers relied on their promoter to answer questions, brainstorm solutions to challenges they encountered, and give them advice and encouragement.
“We feel successful already,” Oniel said confidently. “Al suave pero con pasos seguro” – slowly but surely. Their goal in the next few months is to expand the structure that serves as the pig pen to make room to raise their own fattened pigs, a more costly but more lucrative business model. While their families are supportive of their business and often help care for the pigs (the children are always underfoot as they feed the animals, they say, when they are not in school), they hope to be able to hire employees soon to help. “Just as we were given opportunities, we are called to our own acts of service, to create opportunities for others,” Oniel says.
The brothers consider their business to be a part of their legacy. “I always tell my son, this” – the pigs, the pen, the business – “will all be yours one day,” Oniel said.
But the greatest inheritance the brothers cultivate for their children is hope in the Lord. “God gives us each day. He gives us our strength and our health. All that we have and all that we do is thanks to Him.”
