The Communal Bank “Marquirivi” is starting its second loan cycle with Pro Mujer as part of the Copacabana Community Center. This group consists of nine members and is led by a Board of Directors in which Sra. Marcela is the president. The members of this Communal Bank engage in various businesses such as producing and selling cheese, selling food, weaving sweaters, producing milk, and weaving blankets.

This loan will benefit small entrepreneurs such as Sra. Marcela. She says that she joined Pro Mujer two years ago after receiving an invitation from a promoter of the organization who visited her at her house. At the moment, Marcela has a business in which she produces and sells cheese. She learned the trade from her family since they had the same type of business. With a small amount of capital, she was able to start her own enterprise.

The loan she is receiving now will be used to increase her capital for buying cows. She will acquire the animals in her community and raise them. Marcela will sell her products at the fairs in the city of El Alto. Working in this manner enables her to generate income so that she can support her family. Marcela is in a common-law relationship and has seven children.

When asked what she likes about Pro Mujer, Marcela said that she enjoys the loans and the training classes offered by the organization. In the photo, one woman is missing because she had to take care of unexpected personal business.