Investours Loan Helps Revamp Sayulita Restaurant Anna Ruman - El Sayulero
December 30, 2011

Earlier this year, two tourists and two Bucerias residents were introduced to three different microentrepreneurs in the Sayulita area. Carmela, a Sayulita resident, was chosen to receive an interest-free micro-loan to expand her neighborhood restaurant.

We recently visited Carmela's restaurant, and it looks amazing! With her micro-loan, Carmela had painted the building's exterior and installed a new screen on the kitchen door.

In addition, she hopes to eventually install additional seating space. And of course, for the best pozole in Sayulita, Carmela's restaurant cannot be beaten.

How was this interest-free loan made possible?

Investours, the Bahia's newest non-profit, has partnered with PEACE and Se Mas Microfinanzas to offer socially responsible microfinance tours. During an "investour," tourists and residents meet local entrepreneurs and listen to their business ideas.

At the end of the tour, participants decide which entrepreneur will receive an interest free micro-loan. 100% of the tour group's fees go to this entrepreneur. Afterwards, investour alumni can track the loan online.

An investour allows participants to improve the economic condition of hardworking, low-income Mexican entrepreneurs like Carmela through micro-finance. The micro-loan funded by a tour will help improve the lives of the entrepreneur and fellow community members.

Investours' debut tour in the Bahia de Banderas was on December 13, 2010. Since then, Investours has run many tours, issued interest-free loans to local entrepreneurs, and educated more than 50 investourists about the power of microfinance.

If you are interested in participating, please visit the Investours website  to sign up or contact Vallarta Program Director Ryan Pukos at ryan@investours.org.

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