Nancy Adelaida Masache Maicela received a loan of about £220 at the beginning of the year. She has made several on time repayments without difficulties so far. Nancy makes a living from raising chickens and guinea pigs (these are a very popular meat and source of protein in much of the Andean region of Ecuador and Peru). Nancy also works as a cleaner in several homes and takes in washing as well. All three of her children are in school and her husband works for the local council. Raising animals is a profitable activity so long as the birds and animals remain healthy - the chickens in particular can suffer in the cold weather. Nancy used the loan to buy 100 chicks for $160 (at $1.60 each) and 15 guinea pigs for $45 (at $3 each). The remaining money she used to buy several bags of maize as feed for the chickens and grass for the guinea pigs. Doña Nancy has already sold some of the chickens at $7.50 each and the guinea pigs for $15 each on average, that is around five times the price she paid.