Adding to basket
Thirty-two-year-old Andrea works with her husband selling pewter and aluminum tableware. She sells twice each week in the local market while her husband sells in other departments in Guatemala as a street vendor.
They are the parents of five children who range in age from one to eleven years. Only two of the children attend school and are in the second and third grades.
Andrea has two years of formal education. Her goal is to start an animal husbandry business to create more income. She requests her first Kiva loan to buy more pewter and aluminum tableware.
Six Maya Kanjobal women have elected Andrea to be the president of their Friendship Bridge Trust Bank. They live in a rural area in the department/state of Huehuetenango. Many have the same business as Andrea while others raise pigs and sheep.
Because they have little or no formal education, they benefit greatly from monthly educational training, part of the “Microcredit Plus” program. A facilitator uses pictures, diagrams, role playing and games to share information with them about how to best manage their businesses (budget, plan, save), care for their families (nutrition, health, hygiene) and empower themselves (self-esteem, women’s rights/roles). Often they share what they learn with family members and friends.
Being able to access credit is tremendously appreciated by these women who would not be able to walk into a bank to secure a loan. Thank you, Kiva lenders, for your generosity!
In this group: Carmelina, Amelia Maria , Andrea, Odilia Noemi , Santiaga Enriqueta , Anabela Florinda, Paula Roberta
