Sanidad Divina Group

Thirty-nine-year-old Catarina has proven to be a pillar of strength in her home. She is married and has eight children (ages 5 to 20). Four of them are still in elementary school, while her eldest only completed sixth grade. Two are already married and have given her five grandchildren. She only studied up to second grade due to her mother's passing. Her husband is a farmer.

For the past twenty years, Catarina has sold firewood from her home, an activity in which she receives help from her children. In addition, for the last ten years, she has raised chickens and pigs, which she sells from her home and at the local market. Due to increased demand, Catarina is requesting her fifth Kiva loan to buy more firewood and feed for her chickens and pigs. Her goal is to buy cows and improve the productivity of her farm.

At Friendship Bridge Community Bank, “Sanidad Divina” is formed by eight women who speak the Maya K’iche’ language and little Spanish—Catarina serves as secretary. Most of them raise livestock and sew traditional garments by hand. The "Microcredit Plus" program is important for these women because it provides them with monthly training on topics such as health, business, family, and women's issues, as well as a bimonthly visit from a nurse who offers all kinds of basic services, consultations, and information requests.

Thank you, Kiva lenders.

In this group: Maria Cristina , Manuela , Catarina, Maria , Rafaela Lucrecia, Jacinta Isabela, Sandra Angelica, Jacinta

Translated from Spanish by Kiva volunteerFrancesca Ferreccio. View original language description.