Adding to basket
With her 4th grade education, 40-year-old Juana runs a traditional textile business. She lives in the department/state of Totonicapan with her husband (a bricklayer) and 8 children (10 mos.-20 yrs.). Her oldest son is in the United States.
For 15 years, Juana has woven traditional wrap-around skirts called “cortes”. She has 2 looms and 1 employee. Every week, she can deliver 2 “cortes” since they are very labor intensive to weave. She uses a fine, strong German thread called “hilo alemán”. With a much needed Kiva loan, Juana will be able to buy another loom, loom tools, and thread. She will be able to support her huge family better, including the education of her children.
Juana is the Secretary of the Friendship Bridge Trust Bank “Flor de Pascua Chuculjuyup” located in a rural area in the department/state of Totonicapan. The 8 ladies in her group are Maya K’iche. They weave “cortes”, sew aprons, raise animals, run stores and “nixtamal” mills. (“Nixtamal” is dough that is used for tamales and more.) They look forward to their monthly meetings when they offer each other support, make loan payments and participate in educational trainings, part of the “Microcredit Plus” program. They learn about everyday topics like health, hygiene, nutrition, and precautions to take during the pandemic. They also learn about effective business management practices.
Kiva investors who lend a helping hand to Juana and her friends are highly appreciated. Thank you!
In this group: Juana Estela , Ana Maria , Pascuala Elisonia , Rosario Tomasa , Carmen Ana , Timotea Francisca , Santos Antonia , Gladys Estela
