Los Claveles Group

The experience and wisdom of older women become a pillar for their families. Gregoria, seventy-four years old, is an example of strength. She is married and a mother of six children (ages 29 to 46), all of whom have an average of eight years of education. She is also a grandmother of eleven grandchildren. Gregoria only studied for four years because, in her time, girls were not given the opportunity.

With her husband ill and unable to work in tailoring, Gregoria took the reins of the household. For eight years, she has been selling food and snacks twice a week from her home, fulfilling orders with the support of two of her daughters. Additionally, she raises and sells free-range chickens in her community.

With her second Kiva loan, she plans to buy the ingredients needed for her popular dishes and increase her inventory by purchasing more small free-range chicken to raise. Her goal is to continue growing, open her own stall where she can better serve her customers, and secure a stable income for her family.

Gregoria was elected as the treasurer of the "Los Claveles" Communal Bank, a Friendship Bridge group, along with nine other Spanish-speaking women from the department of Suchitepéquez. Each woman makes a living by selling chicken by the pound, selling food and snacks, selling casual clothes, and raising domestic animals. They participate in training sessions on financial administration and preventing over-indebtedness, as part of the Friendship Bridge "Microcrédito Plus" program.

Thank you, Kiva lenders!

In this group: Omaylee Mileysha , Mirta Rosana , Monica Melisa , Gregoria Alicia , Katerine Andrea, Priscila Del Carmen , Wendy Lisbeth, Vilma Eulalia, Fernanda Abigail, Antonia Marina

Translated from Spanish by Kiva volunteerMichelle Herrera Garcia. View original language description.