Ingrid Lorena

Throughout the Guatemalan Highlands, women proudly wear colorful Guatemalan aprons that often become part of their everyday dress. They are often decorated with embroidered designs, lace and rhinestones. Forty-one year old Ingrid, a married mother of two daughters who are fifteen and twenty years old, makes these popular textiles. She only attended school for six years because her parents lacked financial resources. Her husband is a day laborer.

Four years ago, she started buying and selling traditional clothing, popular where she lives in the department/state of Sacatepéquez. Two years ago, Ingrid began making ornate aprons. To generate extra income, she added a business making chicken and fried potatoes that she sells by custom order from her home. Ingrid has one employee to help her with the food business. She requests a Kiva loan to buy handwoven fabric, rhinestones and zippers at the wholesale level. Her goal is to have her own larger store.

Ingrid was a member of a Friendship Bridge Trust Bank and because she was determined to get targeted training to take her business to a higher level, she enrolled in the “Bridge To Success” program. She meets with a Facilitator every fifteen days who helps her develop an action plan to meet her unique goals. She also learns about how to more effectively manage her loan, effective communication, and additional business tools.

Thank you, Kiva lenders, for helping Ingrid achieve her goals!