Mujeres El Esfuerzo Group

Twenty-three-year-old Flor, a mother of a five-year-old son, aspires to be a role model for her family and community by being a successful entrepreneur. Two years ago, she planted avocado, coffee, and lemon trees. She sells the fruit at the wholesale level and in the local market. Flor employs five people to help her keep her orchard clean and well-maintained. Her income, combined with that of her husband, who is a bricklayer, covers household expenses and the education of their son. Her goal is to expand the orchard and improve production. She requests her fourth Kiva loan to buy more seeds and fertilizer. She visualizes a quality harvest.

Flor and nine other Maya Kaqchikel women who live in the department/state of Chimaltenango formed the Friendship Bridge Trust Bank “Mujeres El Esfuerzo.” They sell casual clothing, cook chicken with potatoes, manage convenience stores, or are farmers. They participate in the “Microcredit Plus” program of loans, monthly educational training (health, family, women, business) and bi-monthly health care services (exams, consults, family planning). Besides the loan, these “plus” services are essential for their success since the women have little or no formal education and healthcare is challenging to access.

Thank you, Kiva lenders, for learning about Flor and her friends and for funding their much-appreciated loans!

In this group: Lucia, Thelma Carolina, Cayetana, Yolanda , Flor De Maria , Ana Maria , Sandi Marileysi, Doris Fabiola , Dora Magaly, Maria Del Rosario