Born in Estelí, Nicaragua, 41 years ago, Rosibeth Pérez Hernández –better known as Rosita – retains few memories of her childhood, noting a happy upbringing between school and the countryside, where her father was dedicated to planting corn, beans, and chayote.
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Unfortunately, her life changed when she was just 15, as her father fell ill and subsequently passed away. During this stage, the family lands were sold and that life came to an end; she found herself face-to-face with hardship and the necessity of working and studying simultaneously.
Fortunately, her first job has also been her last –always at Estelí Cigars, which at that time was celebrating the opening of a new factory with job opportunities for many people in the numerous processes that tobacco requires before becoming a cigar.
Alongside her older sister, she secured a position among the pilones (fermentation piles), shaking and moving tobacco leaves to prevent overheating during the fermentation process.
Later, they tested their skills in tobacco stringing and stemming. Year after year, she changed roles until finally settling in the packaging area, where she has accumulated two decades of experience among bands, cellophane, and boxes.
Currently, Rosita is responsible for the entire packaging process, overseeing eight women and one man who dedicate themselves to preparing each order –in bundles or boxes– under the highest quality standards.
The process is shared among the nine people, and everyone does a bit of everything. “The same person applies the bands, wraps the cellophane, codes, and prepares the small bundles (mazitos)… There is perhaps only one specialized girl who fills the boxes, and the male worker, who sorts the cigars by color,” she explains.
On a typical workday, Rosita begins by reviewing the orders to be filled, handing out the cigar bands, the cellophane, and the codes –barcode or QR– used to identify the product. She also verifies the boxes and checks the cigar inventory.
Rosita is married and has a 17-year-old daughter who is studying Civil Engineering, a situation that fills her with pride and satisfaction at being able to offer her something she herself could not have. “Both her father and mother are here, present to support her –something I didn’t have and had to strive for on my own.”
She only hopes that the young woman finishes her degree in the coming years and finds fulfillment; meanwhile, Rosita’s plan is to continue her work at Estelí Cigars, where after nearly 25 years of history, she has been able to enjoy a good life and proper professional development.
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