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STORY: IOM / BOLIVIA MIGRANT
TRT: 03.03
SOURCE: IOM
RESTRICTIONS: NONE
LANGUAGE: SPANISH / NATS
DATELINE: RECENT, SANTA CRUZ, BOLIVIA
1. Wide shot, exterior, Les Petits Macarons pastry shop
2. Various shots, boxes filled with uniquely shaped macarons
3. Wide shot, Zamantha serving macarons to a customer
4. Various shots, customer enjoying the combination of macarons and coffee at Zamantha’s patisserie
5. SOUNDBITE (Spanish) Zamantha, Honduran Migrant:
“I chose to specialize in macarons after noticing a gap in the market in Bolivia, where nobody was offering these delicate treats. Since 2017, I have refined my recipe to create high-quality macarons.”
6. Various shots, Zamantha and assistant preparing macarons filling
7. SOUNDBITE (Spanish) Zamantha, Honduran Migrant:
“For me, creating a business in a country that isn't my own was quite a challenge. The acceptance I received was very good; specifically, here in Santa Cruz, people enjoy trying new things. However, I never imagined the level of support I would receive from the people of Bolivia.”
8. Various shots, Zamantha crafts a selection of colourful macarons
9. Wide shot, Zamantha putting macarons into oven
10.SOUNDBITE (Spanish) Zamantha, Honduran Migrant:
“That is my dream, to supply several cafés. The idea is to raise awareness of the product and have our macarons available in all the cafés."
11. Various shots, Zamantha filling macarons with vanilla cream
12. Close up, macarons on display
13. Various shots, Zamantha preparing macarons
14. Wide shot, Zamantha arranges macarons on display window
15. Various shots, Zamantha at her stand at a food fair
16. Med shot, customers eating macarons
Les Petits Macarons, the dream come true of Honduran migrant Zamantha in the heart of Santa Cruz, Bolivia, has quickly become a beloved spot for anyone craving the satisfying taste of macarons. The International Organization for Migration (IOM) has played a crucial role in her success, helping her navigate her entrepreneurial path.
Stepping into the shop, customers are enveloped in the irresistible aroma of freshly baked macarons. These delicate, meringue-based treats are brightly coloured and elegantly displayed against a backdrop of soft pastels and graceful chandeliers, evoking the atmosphere of cozy Parisian patisseries.
For Zamantha, 31, running this entrepreneurship means more than a business, it is a dream blossomed during her travels across Europe.
Her journey from Honduras to Bolivia was sparked by love – a serendipitous romance that prompted her to embark on a gradual process of starting anew in a new land in 2019. Since opening her pastry shop in 2023, she has devoted herself into sharing the joy of macarons with her new community.
Juggling the demands of raising two young children while nurturing her growing business, Zamantha’s arrival in Bolivia also meant navigating unfamiliar customs and culture.
Zamantha’s menu features a range of flavours from timeless raspberry to unique seasonal specialities crafted with local ingredients, adapted to local taste. With Christmas around the corner, she is preparing festive macarons shaped like miniature Christmas trees, adding a touch of holiday magic to her offerings. The response from customers has been overwhelmingly positive, as locals eagerly embrace these sweet confections.
Zamantha’s creations showcase her culinary talent and are an introduction to many who may be new to these French delicacies. “That is my dream: to supply several cafés. The idea is to raise awareness of the product and have our macarons available in all the cafés." she smiles, highlighting the differences between macarons and similar treats like Argentine alfajores.
Still, Zamantha’s journey has not been without its bumps. As a migrant starting from scratch, she has faced many challenges but tackled each one with determination and positivity.
IOM supported 117 migrants in Bolivia to establish and strengthen their businesses in 2023 and 2024. This initiative includes business management and soft skills, technical support for business plans, and essential equipment.
