Sector 7 Chelam Group

Thirty-four-year-old Lucia shared that she could only attend school for two years and then was given the duty of caring for sheep. She did this for five years. When she was 18, her mother taught Lucia how to weave traditional skirts/”cortes”. Also, at 18, she got married. Her husband is a day laborer and also sells natural medicines. The couple has six children who range in age from 3 to 15. Four of them are enrolled in school, while the youngest ones stay at home. Lucia is proud of her weaving business and makes traditional skirts/”cortes”. Together with her husband, she raises chickens, pigs, and cattle. In addition, the family farms potatoes. Lucia requests her first Kiva loan to buy thread and fertilizer.

Six Maya Mam women elected Lucia to be President of their Friendship Bridge Trust Bank “Sector 7 Chelam” in the department/state of Huehuetenango. They all have the same businesses as Lucia. The ladies participate in monthly educational training, part of the “Microcredit Plus” program, designed by a Facilitator, who covers topics related to business and loan management, health, nutrition, and hygiene, as well as family matters and women’s issues.

Thank you, Kiva lenders, for your kindness in funding these essential loans. Lucia and her friends in the group are taking steps to build successful futures for themselves, their families, and their community!

In this group: Lucia , Elva , Micaela , Petrona , Martina , Linda Maribel , Florinda