Adding to basket
The traditional Mayan outfit or ‘traje” is quite colorful and has changed throughout the years in both color and style. Each town also has its own unique design. These textiles are highly prized and worn by women daily. Francisca, the 41-year-old married mother of three children who range in age from 4 to 9, earns a living by reselling traditional blouses/"huipiles," wrap-around tube skirts/”cortes,” and elaborate belts/”fajas” from her home. Thinking ahead to the popular Easter week, she would like to use her fifth Kiva loan to buy more complete outfits in the latest designs and colors.
Claveles Santa Rita or Carnations of Santa Rita is the name that seven Maya K’iche women including Francisca have given to their Friendship Bridge Trust Bank. They live in a rural area in the department/state of Solola. All of them have traditional textile businesses like Francisca. They meet monthly, make loan payments, and then participate in relevant educational sessions designed by a Facilitator who speaks their Maya K’iche language. Topics include health, nutrition, hygiene, precautions to take during the pandemic, and prioritizing expenses. They also learn about effective business management practices. Every two months, the women have access to basic healthcare services including consults and exams. This combination of loans, education and healthcare is called Microcredit Plus.
Francisca and her friends are grateful to participate in this program and send their gratitude to Kiva lenders for funding their much needed loans!
In this group: Manuela Rosa, Magdalena, Catarina, Irma Violeta, Malanny Nohelia , Francisca , Zoila Maria
