Mujeres Agradecidas Group

With a hardworking spirit and a vision for growth, Marta has turned her family's efforts into their primary means of getting ahead.  She is 33 years old and very close to her family.  Marta has four children between the ages of 1 and 14.  Two children are in nursery school, one child is in the first grade, and the other is in the ninth grade.  Due to financial limitations, Marta only finished school through the third grade.  However, this difficulty was not an obstacle that prevented her from starting a business.  

Fifteen years ago, Marta began making and selling "copal" (a fragrant resin that is used in ceremonial rituals and as a traditional medicine).  Through this business, she is able to generate a steady income.  Marta also raises chickens and sells them from her home with the help of her husband, who is a farmer by trade, and her oldest child.  Four months ago, she began planting strawberries and avocados on her land.  She is requesting her third Kiva loan in order to buy compost, fertilizer, and crates of avocado and strawberry seedlings.  This will help her strengthen her production and maintain stable crops, which will secure the welfare of her family.  

Marta is one of seven women from the Department of Totonicapán who make up the Friendship Bridge Communal Bank named "Mujeres Agradecidas" and have benefited from the Microcredit Plus Program.  They have acquired knowledge about business management, overindebtedness, and savings.  In addition, they have learned business skills such as selling traditional textiles, raising domesticated animals, and making aromatic resins and incense.  

Thank you!

In this group: Laura Laureana , Marta Elena , Maria , Maria , Amalia Filomena , Estela Teresa , Norma Maria

Translated from Spanish by Kiva volunteerRonan Reodica. View original language description.