Adding to basket
Josefa, a 65-year-old mother of 2 grown children and 2 grandchildren makes and sells artisan ice creams, as well as chocolate covered bananas, chocolate covered pineapple and chocolate covered coconut. She sells these right out of her home on weekends. Josefa studied to be a bilingual secretary but never worked in the field. She lives with her youngest daughter in a community in the department/state of Quiche. With her 4th Kiva loan, Josefa can buy fruit, peanuts, chocolate and flavorings.
Josefa has joined with 10 other women to participate in the Friendship Bridge “Microcredit Plus” program of loans, education and health care services. Their Trust Bank, “El Carmen”, meets monthly with a Facilitator who designs relevant interactive educational sessions. The ladies learn about health, women’s issues (self esteem, empowerment), family matters (health, nutrition, hygiene, use of medicinal plants) and how to manage their businesses best (animal husbandry, ice creams, personal care products). Recent topics have been about being responsible with loan payments and managing them as well. Every two months, they can visit with a traveling nurse who offers all kinds of basic services, exams and consults. This is an essential part of the program because it is challenging to access health care in many parts of Guatemala and often, it is unavailable.
The girl in the photograph is the daughter of one of the borrowers who authorized her to appear in it.
Thank you to each of you!
In this group: Alma Iliana , Josefa Odilia , Ana , Rosario , Candelaria , Eugenia , Vicenta , Barbara Guisela , Juana Francisca , Magdalena Griselda, Felisa
