Caramelo 2 Group

Juana is 35 years old. As a child, she always helped her mother with the housework. She is the oldest of five siblings. Since she was 14, she knew how to knit and embroider. She studied until sixth grade because her parents were poor and did not have enough money to continue her studies.

She joined her partner at the age of 21. She has two children. Her husband is a bricklayer.

Her mother told her about the "Chajulense Association of Women United for Life" and the financing loans they offer for women. She was interested in this opportunity and to date she has obtained three loans.

With her loans, she began making fabrics and huipiles [traditional clothing]. The loans allowed her to buy threads. This year, she will use her loan to expand her business by buying threads of different colours.

Her income allows her to support her family, cover her eldest son's school expenses and support her husband with household expenses.

Juana is the leader of the Caramelo 2 group, the group is made up of 4 women, all of the Maya Ixil ethnic group. The group will invest 75% in textiles and 25% in food. On average, each member of the group has 3 children, the average age of the group members is 37 years old. 50% are illiterate and 20% have completed primary education.

In this group: Josefa, Juana Cecili, Juana, Juana

Translated from Spanish by Kiva volunteerE. Power. View original language description.