Adding to basket
Some years ago, 38-year-old Mariquilla lost her mother. She is single and lives with her father in the department/state of Quiche. Mariquilla works with him weaving on floor looms to make traditional wrap-around skirts or “cortes”. They are able to weave 6 “cortes” each week. With her 2nd KIVA loan, Mariquilla will be able to buy thread so that she and her father can keep weaving.
Although Mariquilla only has a 5th grade education, she continues to learn about relevant, everyday topics in her monthly Friendship Bridge meetings. Along with 7 other Maya K’iche women, she learns about health, nutrition, hygiene and the use of medicinal plants. Another useful subject area concerns business management practices like budgeting, planning, investing and savings. Many of the other ladies in the group have weaving businesses and a few raise poultry. They are able to apply what they learn immediately. Every 2 months, a visiting nurse offers basic exams and services. This is really helpful for Mariquilla and her friends since the health care system in Guatemala is very poor. The combination of health care, educational training sessions and loans is called “Microcredit Plus”.
Friendship Bridge, partnering with KIVA investors, offers these ladies in the “Rosas de Pajales” Trust Bank real hope for a brighter future. Thank you to each of you for lending a helping hand!!
In this group: Maria , Maria , Maria , Maria , Cecilia , Mariquilla , Santa , Paulina
