City on a Hill: Affordable Homes, Business Training, and Hope
Here’s how Paulus is combining his business experience with purpose so that entrepreneurs can thrive.
Southeast Asia
May 13, 2026
Imelda wanted to sew. She envisioned crafting aprons, blouses, and other garments... But she didn’t know how. And unfortunately, training seemed impossible. Raising and selling chickens limited her availability away from home, and then there were the associated costs.
“I had looked into other places, but the enrollment fee, the monthly payments, and the machines were very expensive,” Imelda said. “You even had to bring certain tools and materials.”
Home for Imelda was in Quetzaltenango (or Xelajú, as the Indigenous population call it), a Guatemalan city perched 1.5 miles above sea level. There, Imelda lived in a house with her husband, their two young daughters, and their chickens, dreaming of all the things she could make if she only knew how.
Training That Worked for Her Schedule, Her Budget, Her Life
Imelda connected with AMG Guatemala—a local partner of Partners Worldwide—whose courses worked for her schedule and budget. That’s the power of local leaders who understand the context and challenges present in their community.
All the obstacles that had kept Imelda from previous learning opportunities were gone. The cost was affordable, and the only thing she needed to bring to class was a needle. What’s more, the flexible schedule meant she could still tend to and sell her chickens.
Surrounded by women from her community, Imelda learned how to make dresses, aprons, and blouses. Learning to use a sewing machine was a struggle at first, and for a time, Imelda didn’t know if she had what it took. Fortunately, the workshop’s excellent teacher encouraged her.
“Sometimes I say, ‘I can’t,’” Imelda reflected. “But she says, ‘Yes, you can, of course you can. This is how you do it.’”
Overcoming Challenges Together
Imelda dreams of one day selling garments she’s crafted, and to build up enough capital so that she can sell wholesale.
What she learned in the training program will help Imelda put more value on her work by accounting for labor and depreciation of tools, not just the cost of materials. “I liked learning about that,” Imelda said. “It really opened my mind.”
Imelda invites other women to take advantage of the same opportunity. “It’s something beautiful,” she said. “At first you might think you can’t do it, but it’s a challenge that you can overcome.”
