Adding to basket
San Francisco el Alto, in the department of Totonicapán, is the home of a huge market place where the eight Maya K'iche' speaking women of the Friendship Bridge Trust Bank “Mujeres de Chimatul” sell their products in bulk. The women have small workshops, on the outskirts of the city, sewing blouses and pants with lycra (sport) fabric.
The President of the group is 47-year-old Marta, who with her husband, has had a small clothing workshop. They have seven children (14-28 years) and the older children are working with them on four sewing machines. Marta wants to increase her production of goods and is requesting a Kiva loan to buy a sewing machine so that she can fulfill the additional orders.
Marta only has a third grade education but with the income from her business, was able to provide better living conditions for her children, as well as provide a sixth grade education. Now as a member of the Trust Bank, she meets monthly to expand her education and participate in valuable business management sessions (budgeting, prioritizing expenses, saving, investing) that are a part of the "Microcredit Plus" program of loans, education and healthcare. After making payments on their loans, Marta and her friends also learn about good nutrition, hygiene, as well as empowerment and self-esteem.
Thank you, Kiva lenders, for providing generous support to Marta so she can provide a brighter future for her family and have a successful business!
In this group: Isabel, Marta, Pascuala, Lorena, Juana, Magdalena, Isabel Leticia, Josefina Ofelia
