MINSA

Doña Esperanza came by this morning to pick up the list and the money for today's food supply.
She told me that the guys from MINSA had been by. Minsa stands for Health & Hygiene control.
They told her that she needed to change all of her old kitchen utensils with new, more hygienic ones.
For her, that is a big investment. From now on, she also has to show them a new health certificate every three months.  Which is also en extra, unexpected cost.
Not only she, but everybody who helps her, like her granddaughter, need such exams done to get the certificate.
She was upset and worried about the whole thing, and asked us if it would be possible to help her out by giving her a loan. She needs about $50 for everything.
I told her it was no problem. She wants to pay back the borrowed money weekly and told me that she can pay $5 at a time. I know that loan sharks here dare ask 20% interest, per month, that is!!! So when I told her that she wouldn't owe any interest, she was very surprised and kept on shaking my hand saying Thank you so much. I suspect that some of the little food stands will disappear with all these new rules that require investments. Personally, I think it is a little odd to demand to use stainless steel utensils instead of wooden spoons or iron ones, when at the same time raw meat, fish and chicken is being sold without any type of refrigeration at the stands next door.
Take care, everybody...!!