Cristobal Group

Twenty-eight-year-old Rosa is married to a farmer and the couple have three children who range in age from one to eight. She has a sixth grade education and could not continue because her mother got sick. She has set aside funds from her lemon sales so that two of her children can go to school.

When she began to participate in the “Microcredit Plus” program of Friendship Bridge four years ago, she started selling lemons. She sells in nearby markets by custom order. Rosa is pleased to be able to contribute to the family expenses and help raise their standard of living. Her goal is to buy a car so that she can deliver the lemons to other places. She requests with fourth Kiva loan to buy more lemons and some new fruit to offer her customers.

Six women have joined Rosa and formed the Trust Bank "Cristobal". They elected her to be their Secretary. They live in the department/state of Suchitepequez and speak Spanish, Maya Tz'utujil and K’iche. The ladies sell firewood or manage bakeries and convenience stores. Since they have an average of three years of formal education, they benefit greatly from monthly educational training (business, women, family, health). Also essential for their success are bi-monthly health care services (exams, consults, family planning).

Thank you, Kiva lenders, for your kindness in funding these much-needed loans! Rosa and her friends are creating pathways toward more successful futures!

In this group: Siona , Josefa , Rosa , Laura , Maria , Juana , Isabel Floridalma