Adding to basket
Petrona, 49, is a clear example of a person who has overcome adversity. She is a widow, and is the mother of 9 children aged 14 to 35. She did not have the opportunity to go to school because her parents, with 12 children, could not afford to send her.
For 22 years, Petrona has been running a bakery business where she makes and sells bread to order in a local store. She also runs a barber shop in her own space, and she gets support for this business with some of her children. In addition, for 14 years, Petrona has been running a tortilla business from her home along with 3 of her daughters. Finally, Petrona has a business buying and selling coffee and nance [yellow cherries] from her house.
With this Kiva loan, Petrona plans to buy coffee, corn, and ingredients for her bakery. This will strengthen her sources of income. Her goal is to keep these businesses active so that they can continue to contribute toward the well-being of her family.
Petrona is part of the Friendship Bridge communal bank "Bellas de Mixpilla." This group is composed of 7 women from the department and state of Suchitepéquez. These women speak both Tz’utujil and Spanish. They have businesses including: tortilla sales, bakery, bookstore, food sales, and sales of seasonal fruit. They benefit from the monthy training provided in the "Microcredito Plus" program, along with loans, education, and health services. Information on making good investments and saving is helping these women to run their businesses.
Thank you Kiva lenders!
In this group: Dolores, Carmen , Carmen , Carmen, Griselda, Petrona , Maria
Translated from Spanish by Kiva volunteer Lisa Grobar. View original language description.
