Lunaria 1 Group

Magdalena is 37 years old, illiterate, and was raised with her grandmother and grandfather, who said that if she were a man she could have gone to school but as a woman she was not able to. From a young age, she learned to weave. She wove to help her parents with the family expenses. She got married at 18 and they have two children who both currently go to school.

A friend told her about the loans for women that Asociación Chajulense de Mujeres Unidas por la Vida offers. This year, she will receive her fourth loan, all of which she has invested in her business weaving güipiles [blouses] and fajas [belts]. This year, she will purchase different colors of thread to expand her weaving business.

Magdalena is the leader of the Lunaria 1 group. The group is formed by six women, all of Maya Ixil ethnicity. The group will invest 16% in agriculture, 50% in textiles, 17% in food, and 17% in retail sales. On average, each group member has two children. The average age of the group members is 34. Fifty percent are illiterate, 17% did not finish primary school, 17% finished primary school, and 16% graduated from secondary school, eleventh grade.

In this group: Alicia María, Magdalena , Magdalena, Margarita Melany , María Imaculada, María Juliana

Translated from Spanish by Kiva volunteerWendy H. View original language description.