Adding to basket
Magnificent Lake Atitlan, surrounded by three majestic volcanoes, draws travelers from all parts of the world. Also located in the area are eight Maya Tz'utujil ladies who have formed the Friendship Bridge Trust Bank group, Hijas de Maria.
The secretary of the group is 23-year old-Candy, who is single and has a kindergarten teaching certificate. She has been unable to find work and so along with her family, she weaves table runners, scarves and also crochets colorful small balls called hacky sacks. She sells her products at the wholesale level and needs to buy raw materials.
Candy is requesting her first Kiva loan to buy various colors of thread as well as plastic material to fill the hacky sacks. Candy and her friends in the group live in the department/state of Solola. They participate in the Microcredit Plus program of loans, education and healthcare services. The women acquire basic business tools like planning, budgeting, investing and savings.
They also learn about an aspect of three other topics that include health, family matters and women’s issues. Maria shares, “The information that I learn about really helps me to be a better businesswoman and put aside some funds for savings.” It also helps the other ladies with their businesses selling regional foods, fruit and artisan products.
Kiva investors are highly regarded by Candy and the women in the group. Thank you to each of you for funding their very first loan!
In this group: Maria , Ana , Candy Yessenia , Rosario , Paulina , Juana , Josefina , Rosario
