BRICKS TO BREAD COSTA RICA PROJECTS

SARA JAENZ PADILLA – QUEBRADON DE UPALA

THE COMMUNITY

Quebradón de Upala is a tiny village approximately 10 miles from the Nicaraguan border. When Doña Sara arrived, there were not many houses. In time, her community was grateful to gain access to public transportation since they had to travel long distances on horseback or on foot to be able to buy food or be treated in a health clinic. Further developments have led to schools, churches, and supermarkets being built. This area is in the Delicias district and home to many cattle ranchers and farmers.

THE FAMILY

Sara Jaenz Padilla is 62 years old and lives alone. She was making bread in a deteriorating oven twice a week, averaging 280 bags a month. She has been baking since she was 15 years old, having learned methods and techniques from her grandmother and mother.

Through a community partner, Ayuda en Acción (Help in Action), Doña Sara completed courses in food handling, pastry, and business management, so she is knowledgeable about safety in food preparation and how to avoid cross-contamination, and the importance of customer service.

Doña Sara has eight children, all of whom are grown and have their own families. Some live closer than others and three of her daughters help her with her bakery business. Maira is her bakery assistant, Oveth sells and distributes her products, and Lidieth helps with both baking and selling. Their specialities include filled empanadas, sponge cake, corn bread, batter breads, and cookies and they sell to neighbors and residents of nearby towns.

LIVES CHANGED

Doña Sara’s greatest wish was to have an oven where women could gather to learn and bake together.. Even before her Bricks to Bread oven was built, other women in her community brought their own ingredients and Sara taught them how to bake bread and other products. Within a few weeks of completing her new oven, Doña Sara was baking tray after tray of cookies, filled rolls and empanadas, glazed buns, and more!