Michelle’s Dream Fulfilled
Michelle grew up as one of FAD’s kids. Over the years, she became a volunteer within the organization, all while carrying a dream of becoming a baker. FAD believed in that dream enough to sponsor her through a professional course, giving her the training she needed to turn her passion into a real skill.
Today, Michelle runs her own company, MR Cofeitaria, named after herself and her husband. Her work has earned recognition from her local municipality, several trophies and certificates honoring her as one of the area’s standout entrepreneurs.
Michelle’s children are now growing up in FAD themselves, including a son who plays soccer and recently scored a goal for his team, and who, like his mother once did, is learning English.
Looking back on her journey, Michelle credits her faith and the people who invested in her early on. “FAD represents a lot in my life, and I’m very, very grateful,” she says. “First, of course, God. But then Christina, she was the one who pushed me towards improving my skills and my abilities in what I always dreamed of doing, related to the cakes.”
Her path wasn’t handed to her. “I started from the ground, learning by myself, doing my own stuff. But then eventually I reached a point in the city where I needed to learn more. I needed to take a course, and FAD was the institution that believed in me, that supported me, invested in me, so I could actually become a professional in what I do today.”
That investment didn’t stop once Michelle grew up. Even after starting her own family, she stayed connected to FAD as a volunteer, stepping away only briefly to give birth before returning to help again. Michelle points to that same spirit, showing up and doing your part, as one of the deepest lessons FAD instilled in her. She remembers Christina’s example clearly: if you saw a chair out of place, you put it back, even if you weren’t the one who moved it. You just do your part. Make a difference. It’s a value Michelle now passes on to the people who work alongside her in her own bakery.
FAD’s support went beyond skills and training. Michelle also struggled with bullying as a child because of a dental issue, and FAD stepped in to sponsor braces for her. “Today I got this perfect smile that I have because FAD sponsored the braces,” she says. Now, that same smile has become part of her brand, showing up in photos alongside every cake she creates.
Eventually, as her bakery business grew and found its footing, Christina encouraged Michelle to step back from her volunteer role, not out of any lack of gratitude, but as a blessing. Don’t carry a heavy heart about it, she told her. Your time here helped bring you to this point, now go build your life. For Christina, and for everyone at FAD, Michelle’s success is proof of exactly what the investment is for: taking kids from difficult circumstances, meeting their most basic needs first, and walking with them until they’re standing in their own dream, running their own business, raising their own family, still holding onto their faith.
