Estrellas De Chuiaj Group

Maria is a hardworking mother of three children, ranging in age from 6 to 16. Her husband is a musician.

Maria has no formal education and is proud that her oldest son completed the ninth grade. Two years ago, she started a business selling tamales and “chuchitos” (small tamales with chicken and a red chili-based sauce wrapped in corn husks). She also sells seasonal fruit and raises chickens and turkeys.

Her goals are to expand her businesses, increase her income and raise her family's standard of living. Maria requests her third Kiva loan to buy more poultry, as well as ingredients for the food she sells.

Six Maya K’iche women elected Maria to be treasurer of their Friendship Bridge Trust Bank or “Estrellas de Chuiaj” in the department/state of Totonicapan. These women raise livestock, weave traditional textiles and sell traditional foods. They meet monthly, make loan payments and participate in educational training as part of the “Microcredit Plus” program.

Recent topics for training have been avoiding the risks of over-indebtedness, women’s health and business administration. Other topics are health, hygiene, nutrition, family matters and women’s issues. Every other month they have access to basic healthcare services, including exams, consultations and family planning.

Thank you, Kiva lenders, for partnering with Friendship Bridge, and helping Maria and her friends create a better future!

In this group: Norma Velsa, Marta , Santa Isabel, Antonia , Maria, Ana Elizabeth , Maria Micaela