Ana, a 26-year-old mother of 3 children (between 16 mos.-10 yrs.) has had a food stand outside of her home for more than a year.

She offers her delicious recipes from 3:00-8:30 pm each day and is open for business 7 days each week. Her children are growing rapidly, and she wants to have enough food to put on the table and funds for their education.

Her oldest son is in the 4th grade. Ana had an 8th grade education. With the goal of growing the business and increasing sales, Ana would like to buy corn, ingredients for her recipes and firewood.

As President of the Friendship Bridge Trust Bank “Bendicidas Cambote”, Ana calls the monthly meetings to order. There are 6 other Maya Canjobal women in the group and all live in the department/state of Huehuetenango. Their businesses are similar to Ana’s.

The Friendship Bridge Facilitator who visits them monthly speaks their Maya language and using pictures, diagrams, role playing and games, shares information about health, nutrition, hygiene, women’s issues, self-esteem, and effective business management practices. A recent topic was about empowerment. Ana and her friends are anxious to be successful as entrepreneurs, mothers, wives and women. They participate in these trainings and often share what they learn with family and friends.

Kiva investors are highly appreciated by Ana and the women in the Trust Bank. Thank you to each of you for your kindness in funding these much-appreciated loans!