Azucenas De Maria Group

Maria is forty-three years old. She has seven children between the ages of 10 and 26. The two younger ones are in primary school. The older ones have six school years.

At first, Maria was employed in a workshop making fireworks. Four years ago she decided to set up her own business, and she began to sell firewood from her home. Then she started two businesses--a small grocery store and the sale of traditional outfits. She also saw that there was a lot of demand for making material for fireworks. For this reason, a year ago she became independent in this business, making deliveries by wholesale order

Maria's objective is to formalize the fireworks business. With her third Kiva loan, she will buy paper wholesale and adhesive.

The seven women of the communal bank of Puente Amistad "Azucenas de Maria" are from the department/state of Sacatepequez. These are Kaqchikel Mayan women. They sell traditional clothing, products for daily consumption, and firewood. They also prepare and sell food, raise domestic animals, do hand embroidery, and make tubing.

The women look forward to the training meetings. Subjects such as efficient practices for running a business are very useful. Learning about healthy habits, nutrition, and hygiene help the women and their families to live a healthier life. Education is a key component of the "Microcredito Plus" program.

Thank you!

In this group: Maria Clara , Thelma Judith , Maria Carmelina , Alicia Dolores, Bernarda, Sonia Magaly, Reyna Marleny

Translated from Spanish by Kiva volunteerRita Levitz. View original language description.