The indigenous community of Pinada, population 900, suffers from a lack of access to emergency healthcare, which is the number one cause of death in the small village. The closest hospital is about four hours away and the townspeople have no sound means of getting there. Of particular concern to villagers is the high rate of maternal death during childbirth.

So approximately 25 people joined together to launch Pio-Lindo, a community-based business in town that sells chicken, vegetables, and other foodstuffs, with the idea that the profits could be used to improve community health. “Help is for everyone,” says the Pio-Lindo advisory committee, which is headed by Marcos Cahuec Choc, Marcos Suc, Mauricio Choc, Sacarias Morán, and Sautiago Choc. They used their first Trickle Up grant to purchase chicken, a freezer, and a cart to move the fridge. The second installment bought soda and other merchandise.

Pio-Lindo workers volunteer their services and use their profits to extend loans to those who require emergency medical attention or who cannot afford the cost of a trip to hospital. As a result, the quality of health has improved throughout the community; in particular, midwives are now better able to help if and when complications arise during birth.

Profits have also gone toward expanding the store, with the purchase of an additional large refrigerator. And committee members have acquired the skills necessary to manage and invest money and to run a successful business. They plan to buy land for a cattle farm to make Pio-Lindo even stronger – while continuing to improve access to healthcare for their neighbors.