Mujeres Kaqchikeles Sumpango Group

With dedication to the field and commercial vision, María has converted basic grains into her household's sustenance. She is forty-one years old, married and the mother of five children (10 to 23 years old). Two of the children are in fourth grade of primary and seventh grade, two have secondary degrees, and one finished the fifth year of primary. María did not have access to a formal education and wants her children to all be professionals in the future. Her spouse works as a day laborer.

For three years, María has worked growing, buying and selling beans and corn, which she sells at a small stand at her home. She asks for her seventh Kiva loan to purchase a larger quantity of beans and corn. María's goal is to strengthen her business and contribute to the family's finances.

In Friendship Bridge's communal bank Mujeres Kaqchikeles Sumpango, there are seven women of Maya Kaqchikel heritage who have joined together to participate in the Microcrédito Plus program which offers loans, education and health. These women have from selling basic grains to growing vegetables. They look forward to their monthly meetings, make the payments on their loans and participate in educational training. The topics are relevant for their lives and come from four areas: business, health, family, and women. Every two months, they have access to basic health services.

María shares, "Thank you, Kiva lenders, for financing these loans."

In this group: Telma Noemi , Roselia Esperanza , Maria Olivia , Maria Juana , Glenda Maribel , Maria Lucia , Maria Margarita

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