Emprendedoras Del Pedregal Group

Guatemalan food is steeped in tradition, and fifty-one-year-old Maria has dedicated her life to preserving those flavours. Although she was never able to study due to limitations on her time, in the kitchen, she found an opportunity to get ahead in life. She is a widow and mother of seven children, six of whom are living (aged 19 to 34 years old), went to school for a few years and are married. She is a grandmother to three children. 

Maria has worked for more than ten years making tortillas, typical foods and snacks in her own premises. Maria deals with orders and home deliveries, with the help of one of her daughters. She is applying for her second Kiva loan to buy corn, ingredients and cooking utensils, which will allow her to increase her production. Her goal is to continue growing and also to start raising chickens to generate a greater income.

Maria is the president of the Friendship Bridge Communal Bank "Emprendedoras Del Pedregal", which is made up of six other women. She is a facilitator of the "Microcredit Plus" programme, which involves providing non-formal educational training in essential topics for member's businesses which include selling tortillas, catalogue products, food, snacks, casual clothing, slushies and chicken and chips. They highlight some important issues such as saving, first aid and women's health, which enrich their knowledge, and provide valuable insights to different areas of their lives. Thank you Kiva lenders.

In this group: Angelica Maria, Sara Yojana , Maria Gladis, Raymunda Virginia, Alicia Marisol, Cleotilde , Linda Verali

Translated from Spanish by Kiva volunteerVicki Crook. View original language description.