Shoe demand in Honduras creates opportunity for income

January 8, 2016

Twenty-five women from 14 villages in Honduras now have an opportunity to earn an income by meeting a market need.

Just Hope is providing a way for the women to buy shoes, which are very popular in Honduras, at wholesale prices. We will also provide best practices for sales and financial management as they grow this venture.

One shipping container full of new and gently used shoes is on its way to Honduras, for expected arrival in January. The women have organized themselves into sales groups. They will buy the shoes in small batches at wholesale prices, then sell them at retail prices in neighboring villages, keeping and investing the profit.

This micro-economic venture is based on a hub-and-spoke model, where entrepreneurs purchase the shoes in Progreso and fan out to small markets in rural areas outside the city, where shoes of all types and sizes are in high demand.

We anticipate selling shoes to 15-20 entrepreneur groups, representing 50-60 people, whose household income could be significantly improved by this opportunity. Our goal in year one is to send two containers, and our goal in year two is to send three.

Additionally, the boys living in the survivor skills home will have an opportunity to earn an income by working in the shoe distribution warehouse, where they will learn basic job skills.