Adding to basket
Monthly educational trainings, part of the “Microcredit Plus” program of Friendship Bridge, are important because the ladies often have little or no formal education. They learn about essential topics like health, family matters, business tools, and women’s empowerment. They also learn about family planning, women’s bodies, and violence against women.
Maria Elena, a 31-year-old mother of 7 children (18 mo-14 yrs), married quite early and has learned a great deal in these trainings that she is now applying to her life. She buys and sells traditional Maya clothing, and with her income, she is able to send her older children to elementary school. Maria Elena would like to purchase additional traditional wrap-around skirts called “cortes” and is requesting her 2nd Kiva loan to make this purchase. With such a large family and many mouths to feed, she is determined to succeed.
There are 7 Maya K’iche ladies in the trust bank “Las Rosas Lindas” who live in the region/state of Quiche. They have textile businesses, and they sell both inside and outside of their community. The women look forward to their monthly meetings, and besides learning about women’s issues, they learn about effective business practices, family matters (nutrition, hygiene), and health concerns.
It would be impossible for Maria Elena and her friends to walk into a bank to secure a loan. Thank you, Kiva investors, for providing the funds for their much needed loans!
In this group: Francisca, Josefa, Juana , Isabel , Isabel , Francisca , Maria Elena
