Why Chaka?

While the top of the Latin American business pyramid is dominated by men from privileged backgrounds, the base presents a contrasting reality: Indigenous women and men facing long-standing structural barriers. In particular, Indigenous-descendant women face a triple burden of discrimination: based on their gender, their ethnic origin, and their socioeconomic status.

Microenterprises are key to solving Latin America's fundamental problems.

  • They represent 98% of all businesses.
  • They generate 64% of all jobs.
  • They contribute 30% of the GDP.

Despite their importance, these microenterprises struggle to survive due to four structural barriers:

1.
High startup costs

Opening a restaurant in Latin America can cost over USD 50,000.

2.
Limited access to commercial spaces

Rent can consume up to 40% of a microenterprise's monthly income, and commercial kitchen rentals range between $20 and $50 per hour.

3.
Regulatory complexity

Operating a food business requires between 5 and 8 permits, which can take up to 6 months to obtain.

4.
Lack of access to capital

70% of women entrepreneurs finance their businesses with personal savings or informal loans.

When a woman microentrepreneur succeeds in growing her business, she not only transforms her own life and her family's, but also generates jobs and strengthens her community.