Ledy Martinez
Lori Connell
Ledy lives in Nueva Oriental in a "Torch Mission" house. She has two daughters and is a graduate of Mi Esperanza. Ledy graduated from our sewing program in 2007. On Saturday, we visited with Ledy to see how she was doing and get an update on her life. We are pleased to report that she is doing well and applying the skills she learned during her training at Mi Esperanza. She has a sewing machine at home and works with private clients, creating custom clothing. Since graduation, she has also worked in a maquila, creating t-shirts and blouses. She has been able to add a room to her home, put in a concrete floor, and add a large pila to her house. Her daughters are healthy, happy, and in school. Ledy shared with us how her education at Mi Esperanza has provided stability for her and her family, which would not have been possible without the education she received. She has consistent work that provides her daughter with daily necessities, including food, water, shelter, medical care, and education. Another Mi Esperanza success story!
Ledy at a glance
Children: 4
Community: Nueva Oriental
Mi Esperanza Course: Sewing
Updates
October 2021
Ledy graduated from nursing school! In addition to her nursing career, she continues to work at Mi Esperanza in our sewing maquila due to the good pay, health benefits, and positive environment. Ledy is grateful for the opportunities working at Mi Esperanza has given her, and she has been able to pass them on to her children.
July 2015
Ledy is in nursing school! This is a dream she has had since she was a girl. The opportunities she has/had with Mi Esperanza, education, and employment are making this dream come true.
October 2014
Yesterday's visit to Ledye Martinez's home was beyond inspiring and a blessing. All of her children came running when we arrived in the village. You see, their mom was home two and a half hours early because she didn't have three hours of bus rides to get home from her work at Mi Esperanza. Ledy and her family are doing amazingly well, and working for Mi Esperanza continues to help her family break the cycle of poverty. In December, Ledy finally graduated from high school, and she is very proud; her children are also proud of her. She would like to attend nursing school, but will need to save to take her entrance exam. It is her next goal to be reached. As she said, "university is very expensive for someone like me, but little by little, it will be done."
As we looked around, we couldn't help but notice the wall displaying all the educational diplomas of the entire family, a high priority in this home. As we sat and visited, there was evidence of the life-changing impact of the things we know about educating women: all of her children are attending school, her home improves with each visit, and her children are healthy, happy, and well-nourished. These markers indicate that the work of Mi Esperanza is on track with our goal of breaking the cycle of poverty in women's lives and changing the future for children. Ledy continues to work as a production manager for Lizalig and is excited to begin a new assignment with our latest partner, Hope Petit Peony.
October 2013
Ledy has become the production manager for our partner in Hope Lizalig. She oversees all aspects of the biannual production. She is known for attention to detail and ethics in her work. We are beyond happy for her to be recognized in this way.