Adding to basket
The city of Quetzaltenango is the second largest in Guatemala and is located in the highlands surrounded by many volcanoes, such as the imposing Santa Maria. The city also attracts many tourists who visit the Central American Park, the Cathedral of the Holy Spirit, the House of Culture, and the restored Teatro Municipal. It is also the home of the Friendship Bridge Trust Bank "Mujeres Emprendedoras Nimasac" that includes nine Maya K'iche' speaking members. They are beginning their second Kiva loan cycle.
All of the women in the group, including 22-year-old Macaria, learned to weave at an early age and continue to produce traditional "cortes", which are wraparound skirts woven on wooden floor looms. The skirts have many colorful designs that the women proudly wear. Macaria is the secretary of the group. She is single and only has three years of formal education. Macaria is requesting a Kiva loan to invest in her textile business and will buy a variety of first-rate colorful thread. This will help her increase her production rate so that she can produce three "cortes" per week in order to fulfill her clients' orders and generate additional income.
Macaria and her friends are grateful for the "Microcredit Plus" program that offers loans, education, and healthcare services. Each month they participate in a session that covers topics such as business management, women's empowerment, and good health practices. They appreciate the opportunity to receive credit for their businesses and attend seminars to educate themselves. Thank you, Kiva lenders!
In this group: Andrea Juana , Sara Catarina , Macaria Cristina , Maria Victoria , Ana , Catarina , Justa Rosario, Nicolasa, Francisca
