Centro De Chiriquiac Cantel Group

Traditional colorful blouses, known as "huipiles," and aprons, called "delantales," are beautiful pieces of clothing traditionally worn by Maya women in Guatemala. Julia, a 38-year-old mother of three children and grandmother of two, has been sewing and embroidering these textile treasures for over twenty years. Her children are aged between 10 and 19. 

Julia takes custom orders, has three employees, and sells her products at the wholesale level. Her goals include expanding her business and creating more job opportunities for people within her community in the Quetzaltenango department/state. 

Julia is requesting her first Kiva loan to purchase fabric and decorations at wholesale prices, enabling her to meet production demands. A portion of her income, combined with that of her husband, who is a bricklayer, will be set aside for their children's ongoing education.

Julia has been elected as the Treasurer of the Friendship Bridge Trust Bank, "Centro de Chiriquiac Cantel," by six Maya K'iche women. Most of these women are involved in traditional textile or fruit businesses. They meet monthly to make loan payments and participate in interactive educational training as part of the "Microcredit Plus" program, which offers loans, education, and healthcare. The topics covered in the training are relevant to their lives and include health, hygiene, nutrition, business management, expense prioritization, self-esteem, and women's rights and roles. Every other month, they have access to basic healthcare services.

Thank you, Kiva lenders!

In this group: Maria Rosa, Juana, Evelin Paola Nohemi , Julia Angela , Marcela, Florencia Estefany Marisol , Erika Flor Guadalupe