Mujeres De Pojua Group

The beautiful and unique traditional textiles worn in the Guatemalan Highlands represent the rich cultural traditions of the Mayan people. Each area has its own colorful design. Cecilia, a 50-year-old married mother of four children (aged 17-29) weaves and embroiders these garments. Some of her income went to the education of her children, and she is proud that three of them were able to graduate. The youngest still attends school.

Cecilia sells three times weekly in her local market. She wants to increase production and requests her third Kiva loan. She plans to buy fabric, thread, pearls and rhinestones.

Cecilia and six other women are members of the Friendship Bridge Trust Bank “Mujeres de Pojua.” They will use their Kiva loans in their traditional textile, children’s clothing and sewing businesses. The ladies learn to manage their loans in their monthly educational trainings, part of the “Microcredit Plus” program of loans, education and healthcare services. Topics include information about health, hygiene, nutrition, women’s issues and effective business-management tools. Cecilia shares, “The topics about how to avoid over-indebtedness, solidarity and responsibility are now a part of my life.” Every other month, Cecilia and her friends have access to basic healthcare services delivered by a visiting nurse who is sensitive to their needs. Thank you, Kiva investors, for the vital role you play in the lives of Cecilia and her friends!