La Bendicion Group

Vilma is the president of the Communal Bank of Puente de Amistad “La Bendición”. She is 46 years old, and originally from the department/state of Chimaltenango. She is married to a security agent. She has six children 10 to 24 years old, four of whom attended primary and secondary school. The two oldest children graduated as an agronomist and a bilingual secretary. She has a married son and is a grandmother of two. Vilma has no formal education. For twenty years she has been selling snacks on request and at home every morning. Seven years ago she started selling products through catalogues (shampoo, lotions and body creams). She sells these products on request and makes deliveries to the homes of her clients. With the support of her two daughters they manage to meet the demand of her clients. Vilma wants to increase the inventory of her businesses and is requesting her first Kiva loan. With the moneyl she will buy a variety of products from wholesale catalogues and ingredients (meats, corn, oil) for her recipes. Her goal is to continue expanding her business.

The seven Mayan Kaqchikel women of this Communal Bank participate in the “Microcredit Plus” program of Puente de Amistad. They learn four essential topics: business, education, health and family. One of the topics they highlight is good investment. It is beneficial for the women because they are able to effectively manage their businesses selling fruit, spare parts, catalog products, a convenience store and beauty stylist.

Thank you very much!

In this group: Maria Angelina , Maria Candelaria , Maria De Jesus, Vilma Leticia , Yoselin Aracely, Madeleyn Julissa , Ruth Noemi

Translated from Spanish by Kiva volunteerDennis Dunphy. View original language description.