Mujeres Valientes Chiantla Group

Areli, who is 49, only completed third grade due to the distance between her home and the school. However, she learned from a young age that with perseverance she can achieve her dreams.

She spent her childhood herding sheep alongside her father for nine years. At the age of sixteen, Ari started her first business selling fruit as a street vendor. After overcoming an illness that kept her inactive for six years, she regained her entrepreneurial spirit and changed her line of work fifteen years ago.

Ari began selling new children’s clothing, in addition to preparing a regional dish called “chuchitos” [tamales] which she sells on Wednesdays and Saturdays in nearby villages. She also raises sheep with the help of her youngest daughter.

Ari is the single mother of six children, and she has managed to help her four oldest complete sixth grade. She dreams that her youngest daughter stay in school. With her third Kiva loan, she plans to buy more clothing, ingredients for her chuchitos, and another sheep.

Seven women form part of the communal bank called Mujeres Valientes Chiantla, in the rural area of the Department/State of Huehuetenango, all of them Spanish-speaking. They engage in activities ranging from raising animals to reselling corn.

Through the Microcredit Plus program of The Friendship Bridge, they receive training that strengthens their knowledge in good business management and the responsible use of loans. This learning has allowed them to improve their income, diversify their work, and move toward development.

Thank you!

In this group: Teresa , Candelaria , Areli , Osbelinda , Lorena, Paulina, Ingris Elizabeth , Matilde Ermitania

Translated from Spanish by Kiva volunteerLaurie Hiller. View original language description.