Adding to basket
Guatemala is well known throughout the world for outstanding, high quality, colorful traditional textiles. Many travelers have fallen in love with these beautiful pieces of “wearable art”.
A Maya K’iche woman named Anastasia weaves traditional blouses or “huipiles” on a backstrap loom. She is 36 years old, lives in a rural area in the department/state of Quiche and has 5 children..
Anastasia shares, “I am a widow. My husband died when my 5th son was a year old. My children are now between the ages of 4-19. I started to weave and embroider traditional blouses or “huipiles”. With my income, I am able to send my 3 younger children to school.”
She needs to expand her business and is requesting her 7th Kiva loan to buy a large quantity of thread at the wholesale level.
Anastasia is one of 7 members of the Friendship Bridge Trust Bank “Luz Divina”.
The women have little or no formal education. Anastasia was unable to attend school, but realizes the tremendous value of a good education. At their monthly meetings, the ladies participate in educational training designed by a Facilitator. Topics are drawn from 4 areas: health, family, women, business. Often they share what they learn with family members and friends. They are very appreciative. Every other month, the women have access to basic health care services.
Friendship Bridge calls the combination of loans, education and health care “Microcredit Plus”.
Anastasia and her friends appreciate Kiva investors' generosity. Thank you!
In this group: Virgilia Manuela, Tomasa Celestina, Juana, Juana, Lucia, Ana, Anastasia
