Las Maravillas Group

Twenty-two-year-old Elisa, one of three children, is single, graduated with a kindergarten diploma, and lives in her own home in the department/state of Baja Verapaz.

For four years, she has sold traditional textiles and operated a convenience store in her own storefront. She has no employees. Her goal is to increase the size of both businesses to earn more income. She requests her fourth Kiva loan to buy more colorful textiles as well as everyday merchandise for her convenience store.

Elisa is one of eight Maya K’iche women who formed the Friendship Bridge Trust Bank “”Las Maravillas” or “The Wonders”. They all have the same businesses as Elisa. The ladies meet monthly, make loan payments and then participate in an educational training, part of the “Microcredit Plus” program.

A recent topic has centered around wise use of loans. Other topics are drawn from four areas: health, family, women, business. Since many of the ladies in the group have little or no formal education, the training is very beneficial to them as women, mothers and entrepreneurs. A facilitator designs the training and uses pictures, diagrams, role playing and games to share the information.

Thank you, Kiva lenders, for your kindness in funding these much-needed loans!

In this group: Yasmin Alejandra , Irma Yolanda , Migdalia Azucena , Maria Cristina , Andrea Celeste , Magdalena , Maria Antonieta, Elisa Martha