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María, age 53, is an enterprising woman who has more than one business She is married and the mother of six children older than 15 years, for whom she has provided a secondary school education. Now five of her children have their own families and she is caring for only one child.
She remembers going with her mother to make sales when she was a girl, and she liked to have her own money. Therefore she began her own business. In the afternoons, María sells traditional dishes. She also sells clothing (traditional skirts, blouses, and sashes) to her neighbors. María needs to invest in her clothing business because she has orders for the parties at the end of the year. Therefore, she requests her ninth Kiva loan to buy new designs of complete traditional outfits.
These nine women live in the rural department (state) of Sololá and have business such as sale of food, traditional clothing, and handicrafts. These women have little or no formal education, so they often learn in the monthly training sessions provided by a facilitator. Through images, games, and stories, they learn about business procedures, health, hygiene, nutrition, and self-esteem - indispensable themes for their success. The women also have access to basic health services every two months. The combination of loans, education, and services is called "Microcrédito Plus".
Thank you, Kiva lenders.
In this group: Maria, Concha Cecilia, Josefina, Concepcion, Marta , Maria Angelica , Ignacia , Concepcion Jessenea , Cecilia
Translated from Spanish by Kiva volunteer Joann S. View original language description.
