Amistad Huehue Group

Twenty-eight-year-old Carla attended school for nine years and then married a man who works in the maintenance department of a hospital in the municipality of Huehuetenango. The couple has three children who range in age from three to fourteen. Ten years ago, Carla opened her business, buying and selling shoes that she exports to Mexico. Her goals are to expand the business and open her own store. She requests her sixth Kiva loan to buy more shoes.

With the goals of empowering herself and expanding her business, Carla became a member of the Friendship Bridge Trust Bank “Amistad Huehue”. There are eight other women in the group who have convenience stores, sell second-hand clothing, vegetables, and regional snack foods. They meet monthly, make loan payments, and participate in monthly educational training as part of the “Microcredit Plus” program. Recent topics for the training have included business administration, savings, and the risks of loaning one’s name to another person’s business. Other useful topics covered are about health, nutrition, hygiene, family matters, and women’s issues. The training is designed by a facilitator who uses pictures, games, and role playing to share the information. Often, the ladies share what they learn with family members and friends.

Thank you, Kiva lenders, for lending a helping hand to Carla and her friends!

In this group: Maria Luisa, Claudia Mercedes , Fabiola Maria, Carla Marimar, Elsa Paulita , Jeymi Antonia, Yomara Roxanda, Laureana Epaola, Esteffany Patricia