Crucero Palomora Group

28-year-old Josefina, a single woman who lives with her parents and nine siblings, has a sixth-grade education. Seven years ago, she opened her weaving business, making wrap-around skirts called “cortes”. She works with three of her siblings. Josefina can deliver 25 of them each month. Josefina is saving part of her income to open a convenience store in her neighborhood in the department/state of Totonicapan. She is requesting her first Kiva loan to buy thread, fabric, and a much-needed loom.

Josefina joined eight Maya K’iche women and formed the Friendship Bridge Trust Bank “Crucero Palomora”. These women have little or no formal education, and yet, they have viable businesses, including a restaurant, a hardware store, and also raise poultry and livestock. Others have traditional textile businesses. They are pleased to participate in the “Microcredit Plus” program of loans, monthly educational training (business, health, family, women), and bi-monthly health care services (exams, consults, family planning). A recent topic for the training was about the prevention of women’s diseases. A traveling nurse visits their community every two months and offers exams, consults, and family planning services.

Thank you Kiva lenders for helping Josefina and her friends empower themselves, strengthen their businesses, and create pathways to a brighter future.

In this group: Juana , Rosa Mauricia , Juana Natividad , Andrea , Catarina Bibiana , Ana Maria , Isabel, Josefina , Maria