Chuitinamit Group

Ana is thirty-seven years old, married to a tailor, and has six children between the ages of two and seventeen; four are in first, third, and sixth grade. One of her children has six years of schooling. She completed sixth grade herself but didn't continue due to her family's difficult financial situation, as there are nine siblings.

For over fifteen years, she has raised free-range chickens, which she sells from home. Ten years ago, to supplement her income, Ana began hand-embroidering huipiles, which she sells by order in shops in her community. In addition, for the past three years, she has run a tortilla shop from home and sells lingerie, sportswear, and aprons as a street vendor. Ana has the support of two of her children.

She is applying for her fifth Kiva loan to buy sportswear, lingerie, corn, firewood, thread, and fabric wholesale. Her goal is to continue strengthening and expanding her businesses.

The eight women, who speak Tz'utujil Mayan and Spanish, are part of the Friendship Bridge "Chuitinamit" Community Bank in the Department/State of Sololá. They sell traditional clothing, corn tortillas, casual wear, and lingerie, embroider textiles, and raise livestock. During monthly meetings, they learn about various topics such as business, health, and family. One of the topics they emphasize is waste sorting. This is part of the "Microcredit Plus" program.

They are grateful to the lenders at Kiva.

In this group: Ana Olivia , Virginia Concepcion, Yolanda , Catarina Ujpan , Karen Rosario, Marily , Juana Kasandra , Brenda Violeta

Translated from Spanish by Kiva volunteerCindy Kendall. View original language description.