Adding to basket
Every Saturday, farmers’ markets are held in one of the markets in the department (state) of Quiché. Here, farm animals are offered at affordable prices. This is where twenty-nine-year-old Loyda buys pigs to fatten and later sell them as adults. She also sells from her home located in a rural area. She started her pig farming business two years ago to help her husband (a bricklayer's helper) cover household expenses. With her first loan from Kiva, Loyda will buy more piglets to fatten and sell. She envisions a bigger business.
Loyda joined six other Maya K'iche women to participate in the Puente de Amistad “Microcredit Plus” Program for loans, education and medical care. These women also own animal farming businesses (chickens, pigs). They obtain many benefits by participating in the monthly educational training (health, family, women, business) and bimonthly basic health care services (medical exams, consultations, family planning). Historically, girls stayed at home to help their parents and education is not free. Loyda had the opportunity to attend school for nine years. Therefore, educational training is vital to success as well as the bi-monthly healthcare services.
Kiva lenders, along with Puente de Amistad, offer these Mayan women a happier, more successful future. Thank you!
In this group: Hilaria , Loyda , Juana , Maria, Maria Elena, Santos , Sebastiana
Translated from Spanish by Kiva volunteer Janice Campbell. View original language description.
