Firm Temptation is the micro-business that María Eugenia Blanco has built with all her motivation to get ahead. She not only sells jams, arequipe and healthy wafers, she also shows the resistance of a victim of the armed conflict who has managed to overcome adversity.

By Miguel Alcalá Serrano

María Eugenia Blanco defines herself as a fighter woman, and it is no wonder, despite having two very painful victimizing events, she has known how to face them in order to overcome herself, more than as a victim, as a woman and a person. When María Eugenia talks about her micro-business, her eyes begin to shine, this cachireña does not deny a smile to anyone and more so if she is preparing a wafer with totally natural jam, arequipe and cheese, without chemicals or additives.

Firm Temptation is the name that María Eugenia gave to her initiative to make cape gooseberry a national benchmark, for its nutritional properties, but also for the skin. Their uchuva and papayuela, arequipe and honey jams are 100% natural. "I chose the name for the tenacity of Santander we have, we are firm in any circumstance, we do not leave anything or anyone behind”, says María Eugenia.

The victims of the armed conflict in our country have carried the harshness of pain on their backs and hearts, of losing a loved one or being deprived of their lands. Well, María Eugenia suffered both of hers: her brother's life was taken from her in Matanza (Santander), and she was displaced by illegal groups in Valle del Cauca; However, with courage and a lot of resistance, this woman has managed to start a new life, full of strength and a lot of sweet… healthy.

“The victims of the conflict cannot remain in what happened to us, we must continue, resisting, with great perseverance. Life belongs to the brave and as such we must assume it. I see life as an opportunity to continue insisting. I love what I do and I love my entrepreneurship”, says María Eugenia with a smile from ear to ear.

This brave woman sees her small business as a consolidated company in the future, which will give cape gooseberry and papayuela the place it deserves as beneficial products and with all the properties of nature.

"I want us to get to the point where more people understand the benefits of eating healthy", says the creator of this sweet venture, who participates in the First Virtual Fair United for Victims.

“The Victims Unit gave me the opportunity that I never thought I would have, selling was virtually not in my plans, but here I am, learning and very happy. I am grateful to the Unit for taking me into account with this fair”, says María Eugenia.

And that is Firm Temptation, not just a way to taste organic jams and jams, but a sample of what can be achieved with enthusiasm, tenacity and a lot of motivation. The result will always be the same: jams flavored with strength, from Cáchira to the world.

(Fin/MAS/EGG/LMY/AEB)