Adding to basket
Poverty in Guatemala is widespread and deeply entrenched. About half of the population lives in rural areas of the country that accounts for a large majority of the country’s economically impoverished. Eight women, who live in the western highland town of San Marcos La Laguna, on the shores of Lake Atitlan, are committed to eliminating poverty and empowering themselves. They joined together this past March to form the Friendship Bridge Trust Bank “Barrio 3” meaning “Neighborhood 3”. The ladies have already received a loan from Friendship Bridge funded by KIVA investors and have successfully paid back the entire loan. The eight women and a new member of the Trust Bank are requesting a new loan from Friendship Bridge that they hope will be funded by KIVA investors.
We previously reported on Juana who used her loan to purchase materials to sustain her backpack business. She makes these backpacks in various sizes and colors. She has just begun her second loan cycle. Another member of the Trust Bank, Maria Guadalupe, was elected Treasurer for this loan cycle. She is a 31-year-old single woman who works hard to meet the needs of her family. Maria Guadalupe is a weaver and embroiderer and creates beautiful traditional blouses called “huipiles”, and hand-made napkins. She wants to take advantage of special events like graduations and holiday events as business will increase. Maria Guadalupe requests a new loan to purchase a quantity of thread in various colors and textures, needles, and other necessary supplies. She wants KIVA investors to know that she is very appreciative of their support. As a single business woman, she would have great difficulty securing a loan else where.
Thank you, KIVA investors, for your kindness and generosity. We shall provide a follow-up in the very near future of the nine women in the “Barrio 3” Trust Bank.
In this group: Teresa, Maria Izabel, Brenda Leticia, Maria Guadalupe, Juana, Sebastiana, Magdalena Sancoy, Maria Rocela, Micaela
