MEET
Yirlania Arias Valverde
For Yirlania, fruit trees are not just a project—they are a way to grow as a woman, support her family, and create opportunities for her community.
Her journey
Yirlania Arias from San Jerónimo de Pérez Zeledón joined Bean Voyage after hearing about it from her aunt and cousin, who had participated before. She was motivated to take a step toward her own business and gain independence.
“Bean Voyage helped me visualize my dreams and goals, take the first step in my business, empower myself, and believe in what I am capable of,” she says.
She invested her seed capital in 110 citrus trees, fertilizer, fumigation, transportation, and labor to prepare the land. She faced challenges, like finding quality trees at a good price and dealing with dry conditions. She solved them with a simple irrigation system.
“Yes, there were challenges, but we solved them with a watering system,” she explains.
“My project is helping me grow as a woman, be self-sufficient, and generate income for my family.”
Key Learnings
Yirlania loved the in-person sessions the most, enjoying the chance to meet other women and see what they are capable of. The program gave her confidence to take ownership of her project and push forward despite difficulties.
“The sessions showed me that I can do it—I just need to take the first step,” she says.
Transformation
Her fruit trees are a source of pride, income, and learning. Once in production, she expects to generate around ₡50,000 per week, contributing to her family’s expenses and future investments. She also creates work for others in the community through labor for planting and maintenance.
About Yirlania’s Project
NAME OF THE PROJECT
Cítricos Nany
REGION / COUNTRY
Pérez Zeledón – Costa Rica
SEED FUND FROM BV
$450 USD
PROJECT TYPE
Fruit Trees
“My project is helping me grow as a woman, be self-sufficient, and generate income for my family,” Yirlania shares.
Looking Ahead
In the next 3–5 years, she plans to expand her business and plant other varieties of fruit, continuing to grow both economically and personally.
“My dream is for my project to grow, for me to grow as a woman, be independent, and travel to see new places,” she says.