Del Tul Group

Among the many qualities of the clients of ComUnidad del Tul (term that Friendship Bridge uses to describe a Communal Bank), there is one that is worth emphasizing – the harmony that exists between the two different ethnic groups: Mayas Kachikeles and ladinas (descendents of Europe), that constitute the group. It is remarkable to see women that belong to different cultures work, organize themselves and get along so well. This characteristic particularly stands out when the Board of Directors, which consists of ladina and Maya Kachikel women, work together in a harmonious and effective manner.

The great majority of these women were weavers before receiving their first loan through Friendship Bridge. Many of them helped their mothers embroider huipiles (traditional Guatemalan dresses). However, with the loan they will receive from Kiva, our clients have chosen to change their path toward a more prosperous one.

At this time, the women of del Tul are investing their money in a variety of economic activities. For example, Carmela Santizo has been investing her loan in a toy store, Micaela Julajuj in her convenience store, Rosa Ajpuac in her bakery, and Blanca Urizar in her candle and decorations store. Irma Cuc will invest in buying 300 roosters and hens, which she buys at 40 quetzales and then resells for 60 quetzales. Finally, another interesting initiative is that of Ana Sologui, who invests her money in her small parcela (land plot) for harvesting coffee, which is then exported to Mexico and El Salvador.

The dreams of many of these women are centered on enabling themselves to buy a small plot of land where they can build a house or expand their respective homes, being that a small house is not adequate for their sizeable families. Delmy de León said: “I would like to buy a plot because my house is not large enough for my family.” Delmy has eight children. Suseth Gramajo would like to buy two cuerdas (1 cuerda = 25m x 25m) of coffee for her son. Finally, Carmela told her group that she would love to buy a car to be able to work in a more efficient and less sacrificed manner and to travel. These women have a lot of hope in life and in God, being that they have been given an opportunity to succeed. It is for this reason, that they should be supported so that they may continue having that hope.

This picture was taken during a pre-qualifying credit reunion.

One of the members of this group could not attend the reunion for medical reasons. She had to go to the Sololá hospital.

Translated from Spanish by Evelyn Garcia, Kiva Volunteer.

Dentro de las muchas cualidades que tienen las clientas de la ComUnidad del Tul (término que utiliza Friendship Bridge para describir a un Banco Comunal) hay una que cabe destacar, la armonía que se vive entre las dos distintas etnias: Mayas Kachikeles y ladinas (descendientes de Europeos) que constituyen el grupo. Es remarcable ver a señoras que pertenecen a distintas culturas trabajar, organizarse y llevarse tan bien. Está característica sale a relucir sobre todo cuando la Junta Directiva, compuesta por señoras ladinas y Mayas Kachikeles, trabajan juntas de una manera armoniosa y eficiente.

La gran mayoría de señoras fueron tejedoras antes de recibir su primer préstamo en Friendship Bridge. Muchas de ellas ayudaban a sus madres a bordar huipiles (traje tradicional Guatemalteco). Sin embargo, con el préstamo que van a recibir de Kiva, nuestras clientas han escogido cambiar de rumbo hacia uno más prospero.

En estos momentos, las mujeres del Tul están invirtiendo su dinero en una variedad de actividades económicas. Por ejemplo, Carmela Santizo ha estado invirtiendo su préstamo en una tienda de juguetes, Micaela Julajuj en su tienda de consumo diario, Rosa Ajpuac en su panadería, Blanca Urizar en su tienda de velas y adornos. Irma Cuc, va a invertir su dinero para comprar 300 gallos y gallinas los cuales los compra a cuarenta quetzales y luego los revende a 60 quetzales. Finalmente, otra iniciativa interesante es la de Ana Sologui quien invierte su dinero en su pequeña parcela de café, el cual es exportado a México y a El Salvador.

Los sueños de muchas de estas señoras están concentrados en la idea de poder comprar un terrenito para poder construir su casita o para poder ampliar su respectiva casita ya que una pequeña casa no le alcanza para sus cuantiosas familias. Delmy de León dijo: me gustaría comprar un terrenito porque la casa ya no alcanza para mi familia.” Delmy de León tiene ocho hijos. Suseth Gramajo le gustaría comprar dos cuerdas (1 cuerda = 25m por 25m) de café para su hijo. Finalmente, Carmelo contó al grupo que a ella le encantaría comprar un carro para poder trabajar de una manera más eficiente y menos sacrificada y para viajar. Estas señoras tienen mucha esperanza en la vida y en Dios, ya que se les ha dado una oportunidad para seguir adelante. Es por eso que se les debería de apoyar para que sigan teniendo esta esperanza.

La foto fue tomada durante una reunión de pre-crédito

Una de las integrantes del grupo no pudo asistir a la reunión por razones médicas, tuvo que ir al hospital de Sololá


About Group Loans
In a group loan, each member of the group receives an individual loan but is part of a group of individuals bound by a group guarantee. Under this arrangement, each member of the group supports one another and is responsible for paying back the loans of their fellow group members if someone is delinquent or defaults. Learn more