Maria Filomena

Entrepreneurship offers women the unique opportunity to leverage their skills, passion, and creativity in order to create prosperous businesses.  This is been the case for Maria, who over the last 18 years has created successful businesses, embroidering traditional blouses called "huipiles" and raising chickens.  Six years ago she also started a third business selling beauty products and personal products from a catalog.

Maria is married to a day laborer, and is the mother of 6 children between the ages of 7 and 20.  Four of her children are in elementary school, while the older two have only 6 years of education.  Maria wants her businesses to become more well-known, so that she can attract more customers and increase her income.  She is requesting her first individual Kiva loan to buy casual clothing, personal care products, accessories and shoes.

Maria attended the school in her community, in the department and state of Sololá, but only for 9 years because her parents lacked financial resources.  She understands the importance of education, so a number of years ago she joined the communal bank in the Friendship Bridge organization.  She is participating in the "Microcredit Plus" program of loans, education, and health care.  As Maria was determined to receive more guidance and information, she decided to enroll in the "Bridge to Success" program.  She will receive personalized training from a business development specialist every 2 weeks.

Thank you Kiva lenders!

Translated from Spanish by Kiva volunteerLisa Grobar. View original language description.