Rosa Group

Hermelinda, age 19, is an empowered woman who aspires to be an example in her family and community through her own enterprise.

For two years she has been planting cardamom that she sells wholesale and by order in her community. Hermelinda employs seven people for cleaning and performing maintenance on her crops, which assures a good production during the harvests. She is in a common-law marriage with a farmer. The couple does not yet have children.

Hermelinda is happy because with her earnings she helps her husband with the household expenses. Her objective is to expand her crops and to offer top quality crops and products. She is requesting her first Kiva loan to buy more seeds, fertilizers, and compost in order to get a quality harvest.

Hermelinda is the president of the Rosa communal bank with Puente de Amistad together with eight other Mayan Q'eqchi women who live in the department/state of Quiché. They plant cardamon, raise domestic animals, and run small, daily consumption stores.

The “Microcrédito Plus” program is important to these women because it provides them with monthly training where they learn about themes like health, businesses, family, and women. It provides a bimonthly visit with a nurse who offers all types of basic services and informational requests.

The union between Kiva and Puente de Amistad is important to the progress and success of these women. Thank you.

In this group: Hermelinda, Violeta, Juliana, Olivia , Elsa Carmela, Laura Maria , Dora Amalia, Marcela , Vilma Marina

Translated from Spanish by Kiva volunteerGinny Kalish. View original language description.