The Guatemalan diet, a rich mixture of Maya and Spanish flavors, is featured in small food stands, often set up at sunset right on the street. Others are in marketplaces or out of homes.
Mildred, a 26 year old married mother of 2 children (5 and 7), has a small food stand. The income she generates, along with that of her husband, covers household expenses. Mildred is requesting her 3rd Kiva loan to buy a blender, mixer, spices, kitchen utensils, chairs, tables, and a refrigerator. She shares that, with new equipment and ingredients, she will be able to make new recipes for her customers.
Mildred, along with 7 other ladies, is a member of the Friendship Bridge Trust Bank “El Xab” located in the department/state of Retalhuleu. They are proud of their prepared food businesses, as well as their clothing stores, bakeries, tortilla shops, and stores selling seeds, fertilizers, animal feed, and veterinary supplies. They sell in the local marketplace and from their homes. These women have proven to be determined, flexible and resilient during this time of the pandemic.
They appreciate the Friendship Bridge “Microcredit Plus” program of loans, monthly educational sessions, and bi-monthly health care services. Besides learning about health, women’s issues, family matters, and business management tools, Mildred shares that she has appreciated learning about diversifying her business and how to invest.
Mildred and her friends greatly appreciate the kindness of Kiva investors. Thank you!
In this group: Blanca Elizabeth , Mildred Magali , Maria , Nancy Magali , Thelma Yolanda , Ofelia , Aylin Zulema , Idalma Esmeralda
Previous loan details
Guatemalan women have faced enormous challenges to obtain a higher education and, at the same time, to choose a job to function as professionals. Due to the lack of job opportunities, women have had to find ways to earn money to support their families.
This is the case for Thelma, a 31-year-old wife and mother of three children ages six to 11. She had the opportunity to complete ten years of school. Thelma envisions a promising future for her children, which is why she sends them to primary school. Seven years ago she and her husband opened an agricultural and veterinary products business. Thelma is applying for her second Kiva loan because she wants to increase her business inventory. She will buy organic compost at the wholesale level.
There are nine women who make up the Communal Bank of Puente de Amistad, "El Xab", located in the department/state of Retalhuleu. Its main businesses are selling food, raising chickens, and small agro-veterans. These women expect to receive monthly training that is part of the "Microcredit Plus" loan, education, and health services program. Issues like health, family, women, and business are of vital importance to them.
Thelma would like to continue learning about a woman's health care and new ways to support her business.
Thank you Kiva lenders!
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Elvidia, 53, is president of the Community Bank of Friendship Bridge, El Xab, located in the coastal Department of Retalhuleu. She speaks Spanish, is married, and has three children over 23 years old. Elvidia has no education, but she has been a woman determined to provide better living and education conditions for her children. They have a diploma as a nurse, teacher and accountant. She has a popular and growing business where she sells basic grains and vegetables in two markets. In addition, she has four pens where she raises chickens and then sells them. Elvidia requests the first loan from Kiva to invest in the bird business. She will buy chickens and wholesale food.
There are ten other women in the communal bank who apply for this loan to invest in animal husbandry businesses (chickens, turkeys), agriculture, and selling typical food. They also meet monthly to make loan payments and participate in educational training, which are part of the Microcredit Plus program (loans, education, health services). Training topics include business (budget, investment), family care (nutrition, hygiene, health) and women's rights (empowerment, self-esteem). Elvidia says that learning to diversify the business helps you have a business with more clientele.
These women are grateful to Kiva lenders for their generous support. Thank you to each of you for financing these much needed loans!
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