Neyda is 14 years old. She lives in Bolivia. She is a third-year high school student and lives with her mother Rosa, her sisters, and nephews.

A year ago, one of Neyda's dreams come true. She had the idea of starting a cake business. Still, she didn't have the chance until she participated in Save the Children's Adolescent Protagonists of Development program. "I felt excited, I wanted to start my own business,” Neyda says. “When I entered the program, they taught me everything about making pastry. They asked me what I need for the business and they gave me everything: a carafe, a mixer, baking moulds, an oven…even the ingredients!"

Learning to bake cakes was an odyssey – not only for Neyda, but also for her mother and her sister. Based on what she learned in class, Neyda tried to do it at home with her mother and sister's help. "Sometimes the cakes came out flat, sometimes the dough didn´t rise... but at the end of the day, we have learned,” she explains. “One day when my mother came home from work, we surprised her with ready-made cakes, and they came out very delicious. The smell of the cakes reached the neighbours, who asked what we were cooking since it smelled terrific".

Rosa was also able to learn new skills through the program. It helped her to start her business of selling socks, allowing the family to have two sources of income. "Thanks to Save the Children and the courses we have had, I have learned to manage money, how to grow profits, and how to save money," Rosa reflects.

Both are a sign of improvement and determination, since life has not been easy for this family. "Due to the quarantine, we could not go out. We didn't have anything to eat. Save the Children brought us a basket of groceries, and with that, we were able to manage,” explains Rosa. “One of my sons was in the hospital, and we did not have money to buy the medicines".

The different situations they have faced as they have made Neyda stronger, more outgoing, and very responsible. At such a young age, she already knows what she wants for her future. "It hurt a lot to see my mother suffer. I didn't know how to help her. I had to be strong to give my little brothers food. Today with my entrepreneurship, I can already help around the house doing what I like,” she says. “I want to have a big company. I want to continue in baking and study to be a pastry chef. I am not going to give up."

Without a doubt, Rosa has been an inspiration for her daughter. In addition to transmitting her strength, she has taught her that she always has to carry on. "I would like to say to widowed mothers like me that they are not alone. There is always someone who will give them a hand. You have to be strong; life goes on. My idea is to help other people. Today they are helping me, but there will be a day when we will help, too."

And precisely one of the bases of the Adolescent Protagonists of Development project is to provide a better quality of life for adolescents – not only by providing them with opportunities to start businesses and improve their economic quality of life, but also to support them in their personal development, their empowerment, self-love, and valuing oneself as a person. "At first, I was shy, and I did not want to talk,” explains Neyda.  “But little by little, I gained confidence thanks to the workshops. Today I am more confident, and I am not afraid. I can speak and sell my cakes."

Rosa also learned to be strong and to value herself as the great mother that she is. “Today I am strong.  Now, I smile.  Before I could not laugh, perhaps because of fear or suffering. I teach my daughters to love each other. Thanks to Save the Children we now have resources, and we are going to make our businesses grow."

Life has ups and downs, but experiences can become great life lessons. Today, Neyda has her cart to sell cakes with her mother, a fully equipped kitchen, and – little by little – she will expand the pastries she offers. Soon, she hopes to be able to start selling alfajores and doughnuts! Rosa already has enough merchandise for her socks business, and together they go to the fairs from Monday to Friday to sell them. They are the protagonists of their own story, and they will continue to work for their dreams.