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Dilcia Rodriguez

All Real Stories

Meet some of our incredible women!

Dilcia Rodriguez

Lori Connell

DILCIA AT A GLANCE

  • Married

  • Children: 4

  • Community: Colonia Molaloa

  • Mi Esperanza Course: Micro-loan program, Sewing Training course, Dye Artisan

Dilcia met Mi Esperanza co-founder Lori and her husband, Mark, in the summer of 2005 when her community of Molaloa was experiencing flash flooding and her land was being washed away by the water. Dilcia and her children had to leave their home because it was in danger of collapsing.  She was moved to a shelter that TORCH set up in a community church.  Dilcia, at the time, had three sons: Jefferson, 4, and her twin boys, who were three months old.  Through the work of TORCH missions and the efforts of Lori and Mark, Dilcia's house was saved, and she was able to return home.  Lori and Dilcia have remained friends and in contact ever since.  In March 2012, Dilcia applied to Mi Esperanza's Micro-loan program to start a fruit stand business in her barrio. She was excited to start a business that would allow her to be close to home, care for her disabled son, and still earn a living.  Shortly after she began her business, the gang in her community began demanding a "war tax" to keep her business open. Not making enough to pay the tax and still earn a profit, she was forced to close her business.  

In 2014, Mi Esperanza held a satellite sewing training course in her community, and Dilcia signed up.  She was very dedicated to her studies and finished at the top of her class.  She purchased a manual sewing machine and started sewing clothes in her community as a means of supporting her family's income.

“Now I can help my family, and I continue to HOPE that there are more people willing to help others in need.  I am overwhelmed with the organization for helping my family and my children.”
— Quote Source

In January 2015, Mi Esperanza began implementing a new line of hand-dyed products that required the services of a dye artisan.  Dilcia was chosen to work with EA Lepine, a board member and designer/owner of Arrowroot Clothing, to learn the art of fabric dyeing. Dilcia was beyond excited for the opportunity to learn a new skill and a work opportunity. Dilcia is now our dye artisan and is doing a fantastic job.  She is working on Mi Esperanza products and products for our partners in hope.  

In 2025, Dilcia has realized her dream of owning a roadside business in her community, where she sells a variety of fresh produce, snacks, and drinks. She is happy to be close to home while earning an income to support her family.

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