Adding to basket
In the Department/State of Chimaltenango, over 66% of the population (723,581) live in poverty. This is where 9 motivated women have started their own businesses and participate in the Friendship Bridge Microcredit Plus program of loans, educational trainings and healthcare services.
The program is designed to educate and empower these ladies so that they can create their own solutions to overcome poverty. The name of their Trust Bank is “Mujeres Virtuosas” or “Virtuous Women”. These women prepare/sell regional dishes like “tamales” and “chuchitos”, grilled corn and corn tortillas. They sell from their homes and in the local market.
The Treasurer of the group is 34 year old Vilma who has 4 years of formal education. She is the mother of 4 children (9 mo-13 yrs). Almost all of her children go to school. Vilma and her husband sell flooring.
On a daily basis, Vilma takes a table out of her home and arranges samples of flooring on the table. She also sells a variety of clothing, fruit and icy treats. With the goal of having enough merchandise, supplies and ingredients, Vilma is requesting a KIVA loan to buy clothing, fruit, plates, glasses and tablecloths at the wholesale level.
The ladies benefit greatly from their monthly educational trainings when they learn about an aspect of 4 main topics: business, health, family, women. These sessions are designed and conducted by a facilitator who uses role playing, games, pictures and diagrams to share the information.
Thank you.
In this group: Vilma Dolores , Margarita , Maria De Los Angeles , Lea Kimberly , Jessica , Silvia Elizabeth , Juliana , Gladys Yaneth , Celestina
