Kiva Loans for Pro Mujer Bolivia

Valdivia Group : Bolivia

Fri, 11 May 2012 11:30:02 PDT

$1,300 of $1,775 raised.

Started raising funds on May 11, 2012

The “Valdivia” communal bank will start its first cycle in Pro Mujer as part of the Senkata Center. It has six members led by a governing board headed by Vilma. The members of the communal bank carry out a variety of commercial activities among which we have: “pan de laja” [traditional bread baked in stone ovens] sales, food sales, blanket sales, neighborhood store, lamb sales and locksmith shop. Vilma indicates that this is the first cycle she’s worked in Pro Mujer having joined invited by one of the advisors and by her fellow members. She currently has a business selling lamb that she started years ago having learned it from her sister. The loan she’ll take out now is to improve her business. She’ll buy a sales cart in the city of El Alto which she’ll then use to transport her merchandise. This way of working allows her to generate income to support her family in any way possible.

Sartasiñani Group : Bolivia

Thu, 10 May 2012 21:10:03 PDT

$2,850 of $4,350 raised.

Started raising funds on May 10, 2012

The "Sartasiñani" group is starting its sixth loan cycle with Kiva partner Pro Mujer from the Villa Exaltación Center. The group consists of nine members and has a board of directors with Felipa as treasurer. The members have various businesses, among which are: selling snacks and refreshments, sewing jerseys, having a fruit stand, selling footwear, selling undergarments, sewing, weaving sweaters and driving a taxi. Felipa is in her first year as a group member with Pro Mujer, joining at the invitation of a friend. She currently has a business selling fruits, which she has done for a number of years after learning the trade from her parents. She plans to use the loan to purchase fertilizers for her crops, which she will then sell in the Altiplano communities. This will help her fertilize her land and yield better products. This business has helped her support her family, since she is married and has four children. When asked what she likes about Pro Mujer, she said that she enjoys the health classes and consultations.

Arco Iris Group : Bolivia

Fri, 11 May 2012 06:30:02 PDT

$1,900 of $3,325 raised.

Started raising funds on May 11, 2012

The "ARCO IRIS" (RAINBOW) Communal Bank is beginning its fourth loan cycle with Pro Mujer as part of the Villa Exaltación Regional Centre. The group is made up of 8 members and is headed by a board of directors, of which Claudia is their president. The Communal Bank members' businesses are varied, and among them there are: potato sales, food sales, a beautician, a seamstress, sweet sales, air freshener sales, bed sales and hand-knitted jersey sales. Claudia tells us that she joined the group 7 months ago, following an invitation by her friend to do so. Currently, she runs a business selling air fresheners and she has been doing this for many years. She learned her trade from her parents. The loan that she is applying for will be invested as capital to purchase air fresheners, which she will buy at the markets to later sell at her own sales stand. This business helps her to support her family as she is married with one child. When asked what it is that she likes about Pro Mujer, she replies that she likes all of their services.

Violetas Group : Bolivia

Mon, 14 May 2012 14:00:05 PDT

$1,200 of $2,675 raised.

Started raising funds on May 14, 2012

The Violetas communal bank will begin its second loan cycle in Pro Mujer as part of the Los Andes Regional Office. It is made up of eight members and is governed by a board of directors headed by Yovana. The businesses that the members of the communal bank carry out are varied, among which are: food sales, candy sales, knitting gloves, knitting vicuna blankets, card sales, Punto VIVA services [telephone, internet, photocopying], and clothing sales. Yovana indicates that she has been a member of a communal bank in Pro Mujer for a year, joining on the invitation of the facilitator. Currently she has a business selling seasonal products that she has been working in for three years. The loan she will get now is to buy gloves that she will sell until the end of the cold season in our department. She tells us that she carries out her business every day in the markets in the city of El Alto. It helps her support her family, because she is married and has two children. When asked what she likes about Pro Mujer she responds that she likes everything. In the photograph you can see that one of the members is in the back and only half of her head appears; this happened because she was not well located.

Sol Radiante Group : Bolivia

Wed, 09 May 2012 19:10:03 PDT

$1,250 of $4,200 raised.

Started raising funds on May 9, 2012

The communal bank "Sol Radiante” (Radiant Sun) will begin its third cycle with Pro Mujer as a part of Centro Focal de Los Andes. It is made up of eight members and run by a board of directors headed by Señora Mery. The members' businesses are varied and include: making sportswear, knitting alpaca sweaters, selling sportswear, selling cosmetics, selling vicuna wool blankets and selling food. Señora Mery says that she joined the Pro Mujer communal bank a year and a half ago. She was invited to join by the other members of bank. She currently has a business selling sweaters, which she has had for the last three years. She is learning the business from her aunt. The loan that she is taking out is for increasing her capital. She will purchase sweaters from the city market in Oruro and later take orders to sell them in La Paz. This work is helping her support her family, as she is a single mother of one son. When asked what she likes about Pro Mujer, Señora Mery says that she likes the health classes.

Torre Fuerte I Group : Bolivia

Thu, 10 May 2012 17:00:07 PDT

$825 of $5,600 raised.

Started raising funds on May 10, 2012

The “Torre Fuerte I” (Mighty Tower I) communal bank will start its second cycle in Pro Mujer as part of the Tejada Focal Center. It has six members led by a governing board whose secretary is María. The members of the communal bank carry out a variety of businesses. Among them we have: beauty products sales, neighborhood grocery store, shoe sales and furniture sales. María indicates that this is the second cycle she’s participated in a Pro Mujer communal bank having been invited to join by a girlfriend. She currently has a furniture selling business that she’s been operating for years having learned it from her uncles. The loan she’ll take out now is to increase merchandise in her business (to purchase furniture) that she’ll buy from distributors in the city of El Alto and then sell in her sales point. This business helps her to support herself since she’s married and has a son. When asked what she likes best about Pro Mujer, she answers that she likes the health training and the credit. In the photo, Daniela’s absence is noted; she was at a health clinic appointment.

Estrellitas Group : Bolivia

Fri, 11 May 2012 13:50:03 PDT

$400 of $2,875 raised.

Started raising funds on May 11, 2012

The Community Association “ESTRELLITAS” (Little Stars), is in its second program cycle with Pro Mujer, as a part of the Focal Villa Adela Center. This group is made up of eight members and is managed by a board of directors, of which Sebastiana is president. The members all work in various businesses, including: sales of salchipapas (a hot dog and fried potatoes dish), electronic games, shawl making, food sales, fruit sales, etc. Sebastiana became a member of the Pro Mujer association about a year and a half ago. She was invited to join by the institution’s promoters. She presently makes a living selling plastic materials, a business that she has had for some time. She plans to utilize the support from this loan to purchase additional materials for her business, which she will buy in the markets in La Paz, and then resell in the communities in her area. This work helps her to support her family. She is single and has eight children. When asked what she likes about Pro Mujer, Sebastiana commented that she likes the savings, as well as their work in health and patient payments.