Adding to basket
In most rural areas in Guatemala, markets and storefronts sell cheap used clothing from the United States. It is common to see signs announcing that a bale of used clothing will be opened and available for sale. This is the business of 39-year-old Maria, a member of the Friendship Bridge Trust Bank “El Manantial Yepocapa” located in a rural area in the department/state of Chimaltenango. Her income supports the needs of her six children who range in age from 7 to 23. They are each enrolled in primary school or the university. Her husband is a bricklayer, building houses but the work is seasonal and the family needs more financial security.
Maria would like to restock her inventory with seasonal clothing and requests her second Kiva loan to buy used clothing for men, women and children.
The 10 ladies in the Trust Bank have tortilla shops, convenience stores, raise animals and sell vegetables. Because the public health care system is substandard or non-existent in Guatemala, the women benefit greatly from their bi-monthly health care screenings, part of the “Microcredit Plus” program of loans, education and health care services. Friendship Bridge brings mobile clinics, and highly trained, culturally sensitive doctors and nurses to clients. At their monthly meetings, the ladies participate in educational trainings that cover a variety of topics on health, women’s rights, family and business.
Thank you, Kiva lenders, for your generosity!
In this group: Estela, Ernestina, Vidalia, Ortencia, Isabel, Maria Del Pilar, Silvia, Maria Luisa, Yenifer Del Carmen, Irma Yolanda
