Adding to basket
Corn is a vital and large part of the diet of indigenous Maya of Guatemala and has been for centuries. It is ground on a comal and made into dough that is used to make tortillas, tamales and more.
Gertrudis, a single 24-year-old mother of two (ages 2 and 5), buys and sells corn from her home and also makes home deliveries. She has a 5th grade education and is putting aside funds so that her children can attend school as she is keenly aware of the benefits of a good education. Her older child is in kindergarten! With her second Kiva loan, Gertrudis can buy more corn to resell. Her goal is to grow her business, find new customers and increase her income.
Gertrudis looks forward to the monthly meetings of her Friendship Bridge Trust Bank, “Las Rosas de Chaguital”, located in the department/state of Suchitepequez. The nine Maya Tz'utujil women in the group have poultry, prepared food and traditional textile businesses. They learn to manage their businesses in monthly educational trainings, part of the “Microcredit Plus” program. Designed by a facilitator, trainings empower the women with information about health, family matters, women’s issues, and business. The facilitator uses pictures, diagrams, role playing, and games to share information.
Thank you, Kiva investors, for your generosity in funding these much needed loans! Gertrudis and her friends are empowering themselves and creating their own pathways to a brighter future!
In this group: Catarina Cristina, Petrona, Maria , Gertrudis , Silvia Yolanda , Natalia, Manuela Veronica , Juana , Elena
