Adding to basket
Twenty-year-old Andrea, a single woman who lives with her mother, studied to be a kindergarten teacher but does not teach school. For one year, she has been selling a variety of plastic products for the kitchen and bathroom, including pitchers, baskets, and piggy banks. She has converted a room in her home into an attractive store to exhibit all the inventory. Her goals are to improve her business and grow as a person. Andrea requests her third Kiva loan to buy pitchers, water bottles, lunch boxes and small plastic containers.
Seven Maya Achi women, who live in the same community as Andrea in the department/state of Baja Verapaz, have elected her to be the president of their Friendship Bridge Trust Bank “Las Maravillas” or “The Wonders”. They sell casual clothing, make candles, sell chickens and also sell used American clothing that they receive in a bale or a “paca”.
They are grateful to participate in a monthly educational training, part of the “Microcredit Plus” program. It is designed and taught by a facilitator who uses pictures, diagrams, role playing and games to share information. Topics range from business and health, nutrition, hygiene, the use of medicinal plants and prioritizing expenses. Also emphasized are self-esteem, women’s rights and roles as well as empowerment.
With determination and the help of Friendship Bridge, as well as Kiva lenders, Andrea and her friends are creating pathways toward a brighter future. Thank you, Kiva lender!!
In this group: Bernarda , Yasmin Alejandra , Irma Yolanda , Migdalia Azucena , Maria Cristina , Andrea Celeste , Magdalena , Alicia
