Rosa Elvira Pardo Romero received a ten month loan last autumn and has made half the repayments without difficulties. She used the loan of around £560 to buy more stock (specifically rice, cooking oil, milk, eggs, tomatoes and onions) in bulk for her small shop which she has run since 2007 when she separated from her husband. She previously sold cosmetics for a short time but this was not profitable so she switched. Doña Rosa acted as a guarantor for someone else some years ago and was left to repay a large debt when the other person defaulted - this caused her to suffer for some time but thankfully is now behind her. She also used part of the loan to pay for some course fees for one of her children. Doña Rosa commented that competition has increased as another large shop opened in the neighbourhood and it has attracted some of her customers. Thankfully, the shop generates enough to cover all household expenditures such as rent, food, transport and utility bills - she does not receive financial support from her husband. She also has a number of loyal customers and is open long hours. Additionally, Doña Rosa has other activities such as taking in washing, which she returns washed and ironed and cleaning houses from time to time.