In December 2008 Avalyn Dias-Nelson began her relationship with ECLOF Jamaica. At the time she was unemployed and had no definite source of income. Avalyn had an idea that she could develop a business based on her recently acquired hat making skills. Difficulty in accessing start-up capital was a serious stumbling block preventing her from pursuing her business idea. In an effort to access start-up capital she spoke with Mr. Peter Onfroy of Linstead Pentecostal Tabernacle Economic Empowerment Program introduced. It was then she learnt of the church’s the partnership with ECLOF Jamaica aimed at providing credit towards economic development of disadvantaged persons.

Encouraged by this, she joined the program and obtained her first ECLOF loan of $70,000. She used the proceeds of the loan to purchase items of clothing for sale and rented a stall in the Linstead Market. The stall serves as the sales outlet for her the hats she makes and for the clothing she sells. Most of the hats are produced at home on days when she is not selling in the market. There are seven basic designs that she currently produces. Members of her Church and ladies from other surrounding churches are the majority of her clients. Avalyn loves what she does and is very dedicated, while attending her stall in the market, this committed business woman is never idle. She uses the time to crochet, producing even more hats for sale.

Today, Avalyn’s business is healthy and robust. ECLOF continues to be her funding partner of choice. Through this venture in a matter of seven (7) years she has moved from having no income to a position of having reliable income that provides her with a much higher standard of living.