Las Sulamitas 2 Group

Forty-one-year-old Felipa was widowed two years ago. She was left to raise five children who now range in age from nine to 21. She only had two years of formal education, but could not attend school longer because her parents lacked resources.

Fifteen years ago, she opened her business selling popular traditional textiles from her home and as a street vendor. One year later, she added a business making and selling regional snack foods. Her goals are to cover household expenses, expand the businesses, and open her own storefront to display and sell her clothing.

Felipa joined six other Maya K’iche women to form the Friendship Bridge Trust Bank “Las Sulamitas 2” in the department/state of Suchitepequez. These women have convenience stores, raise livestock/poultry, sell ice cream, chicken by the pound, fruit smoothies, firewood, and work at their convenience stores. They meet monthly, make loan payments, and participate in an educational training, part of the “Microcredit Plus” program of loans, education, and health care services. Recent topics for the training have been about business administration, women’s health measures, and how to avoid the risks of over-indebtedness. Other topics are about nutrition, hygiene, family matters, and women’s issues. Every other month, they have access to healthcare services delivered by a traveling nurse who offers exams, consults, and family planning.

Thank you, Kiva lenders, for your kindness!

In this group: Carmen Fabiola , Victorina, Felipa, Maria Magdalena , Virginia Amparo , Amparo Liliana, Josefa