Cinco Arrollos Group

Living in a large family while facing poverty can be challenging; in low-income countries, it’s often linked to limited access to education and family planning. Floridalma, who is 34, experienced this firsthand, growing up in a family with nine children.

She learned that hard work and dedication are essential to moving forward. Due to a lack of financial resources, she was unable to attend school, unlike her siblings, who managed to complete sixth grade. At the age of 10, Floridalma’s mother taught her how to cook and wash clothes. At the age of 14, she began working in other people’s homes and taking care of children.

Floridalma is currently married to a construction worker, and she is the mother of two children (ages 10 and 14). Nine years ago, she started her own business with support from Friendship Bridge, focusing on buying and selling chickens and sheep. Some time later, she opened a small shoe shop in her home. She also grows potatoes, which she sells at the local market.

Floridalma is applying for her first Kiva loan to buy seeds and organic fertilizer, which will help strengthen her sources of income.

Floridalma is the president of the communal bank “Cinco Arrollos,” with seven other women from the department of Huehuetenango serving as members. Three of them speak Mam, a Mayan language, while the rest speak Spanish and are engaged in raising livestock, running a convenience store, and farming. All of them take part in short workshops as part of Friendship Bridge’s “Microcredit Plus” program to strengthen their businesses.

Thank you, Kiva lenders!

In this group: Anita Teresa, Floridalma , Sara Nohemi, Trinidad , Fermina, Dora Leticia, Margarita Veronica, Carina Hermitania

Translated from Spanish View original language description.