Mileidy Crespo Pérez is a woman who overflows with joy and spreads it as she goes, like shooting stars. She laughs and speaks looking straight ahead, with innate courage, whatever the subject. And the best thing is that she always maintains her cheerfulness, even though the paths of life have obstacles.

Amancio, Las Tunas.- “Whoever does not dream has no right to live”, she declares without fear, and she has done so since she became aware of the Support Project for Agricultural Intercooperation (APOCOOP).

APOCOOP came to the Sabino Pupo credit and services cooperative, in the municipality of Amancio, and she found opportunities to meet her goals. “I am a farmer and I am dedicated to country life, raising animals. But, after the family, the most important for me are plants; I have dedicated almost all my time to them. I live by growing them and, today, I have more than a hundred varieties, between ornamental and medicinal.

“They say that one inherits the ideals and customs of the family. Precisely, that is what I always experienced in my childhood when I saw my mother devote so much attention to her gardens. I don't go a day without seeing them, especially the roses and the Adeniums."

In the Kilómetro 6 of this southern territory, Mileidy is a milk producer and delivers between 40 and 50 liters each day. She legally has no land, but her husband does; and that is enough to feel useful, although she already is at home and in the care of her partner, children, and other relatives of hers.

“With APOCOOP, I have filled with illusions once again, and raising small livestock, especially rams, is in my future. I have already received wire and tiles and I am going to benefit from a semi-protected irrigation system and other instruments and material resources.

“But, what makes me happiest is that I will be able to expand my productions. I have many ideas going around in my head because I intend to plant two hectares of roses. I already have the seed stock -as I tell you-, that is, the mother plants, and then everything will be easier.

“I aspire to provide work for women in the community. Of course, I would like to benefit financially, but I am in favor of helping others. There are few employment options here and not all of them can work in the fields because they are very difficult tasks."

“I intend to make a point of sale for flowers and make bouquets. From the project, I will receive a refrigerator and nylons to wrap. Plants can also be marketed in their pots. Right now, I have many accommodated in a space in my house."

As a magician, she organizes schedules and can handle everything. It's not just the children, the husband, the granddaughter..., or the house, the animals, and the plants. She is also active in the tasks of the cooperative and fulfills responsibilities in the block of the Federation of Cuban Women (FMC).

Each day is a challenge because she tries to learn about botany, pests, and insects. She is trained in different topics of the agricultural sector and even she has participated in several editions of the Science and Technology Forum with results that she applies in her patio El Sueño, which was declared of national excellence in urban agriculture.

“I advance step by step, and in the not too distant future, you will see how much this paradise has grown. I thank my husband for his support and understanding since we have made great investments. Thanks to him, in Las Tunas I will continue to be the queen of flowers.”