Adding to basket
Estefany is 22 years old, married to a laborer at a banana farm, and has a three-year-old daughter. Estefany has a sixth grade education. She is also the president of Friendship Bridge Trust Bank’s “Bendecides de Tierra Linda” or “Blessed Ones of the Beautiful Earth.” Nine women elected Estefany to be the president of this group of ten; the majority of these women sell prepared foods or firewood.
A year ago, Estefany opened her business cooking delicious lunches that she sells from her home in the department/state of Escuintla. She has one employee who helps her.
As a first-time member of this group, Estefany is requesting a portion of this loan to buy ingredients for her lunch recipes, as well as a refrigerator to keep ingredients and meat cold. Her goal is to open her own restaurant.
Since they have little or no formal education, the women of this group benefit greatly from Friendship Bridge’s Microcredit Plus program, which not only facilitates loans but also provides monthly educational training in health, business, family matters and women’s issues. At a recent training session, for example, they learned about avoiding overindebtedness, running a business effectively, becoming an effective entrepreneur, and raising one’s self-esteem. Every other month, a nurse also visits their community, makes them feel comfortable, answers questions, and attends to their needs in such areas as exams, consults and family planning.
Thanks go to Kiva lenders for lending a helping hand to Estefany and her friends!
In this group: Mayra Adacila , Estefany Madai , Diana Abigail , Zulmy Alicia, Silvia Yaneth , Glender Sarahi, Heidy Adriana, Krystel Paola, Maria Elena , Evelin Magaly
