Adding to basket
A year ago, the trust bank Mujeres Las Estrellas (Women Stars), requested its first loan through KIVA, which was successfully funded. Now we are happy to report that the group finished paying back the loan a few days ago. The women are grateful and satisfied with the progress, because their small businesses have either grown a little or have maintained the same level. Currently the 8 women of this trust bank are starting another loan cycle and they are asking again for funds through KIVA.
Just as a reminder, these ladies are from a rural area in Guatemala full of agriculture fields, including the sweet crop of strawberries. In their last loan cycle we told the story of Rosa, who is doing great and is still part of the group. Now we want to share the story of Marta who is 34 years old and currently playing the role of secretary of the trust bank.
Marta is married and has 2 children aged 8 and 5 years old. She and her family are farmers and they are dedicated to the cultivation of strawberries, starting about 7 years ago. However, they could not grow as much as they wanted, because they needed financial capital. That is when Marta decided to join Friendship Bridge with the intention of finding working capital. She was accepted into the Microcredit Plus program from Friendship Bridge, which includes a loan and training. Now Marta is starting her third loan cycle. The amount requested will help her to buy foliar fertilizer and organic fertilizer for her crops, so they can continue with production. Marta's family cultivates 4 acres of land and has potential clients to whom they deliver between 25 and 35 boxes of strawberries. This allows the working capital to move more easily affording the family a consistent income.
In addition to the cultivation of strawberries, Marta also plants corn, beans, and squash. These products are used for both the family's own consumption and for sale. This means that Marta has the ability to repay the loan each month.
Both Marta and the other women of the group, receive training on business administration, money management, women's health, children's rights, and health, among other issues that are part of the benefit of Friendship Bridge's micro-credit and education program that serves to increase the knowledge of these women.
In this group: Rosa Odilia, Florinda, Liliana, Loida Celestina, Percida Hajaira, Encarnacion, Marta Maria, Angelica Maria
