Flor De Jazmin 4 Group

María is 26 year olds; resides in Xemac La Perla, Chajul, department of Quiché. She is the mother of two children, for whom she efforts every day. She had to leave school after sixth grade due to financial difficulties and began working as a day laborer in a coffee plantation at the age of ten. At the age of 20 she started a family. 

Her life changed when she learned about Asociación Chajulense de Mujeres Unidas por la Vida, thanks to her mother-in-law, she joined the group Flor de Jazmín 4. María is the leader of the group made up of 3 women, all of them from the Maya Ixil ethnic group. On the average, each member of the group has 2 children and their average age is 33 years old, 67% are illiterate and 33% did not finish their primary education. 

The access to loans has allowed Maria to diversified her income: she bought coffee seeds and pigs and opened/expanded a shop. With the seventh loan, she will expand a small grocery store. Maria is grateful for the support and low interest rates she gets through the association, which has allowed her to prosper. Her story is an inspiration that with effort and support reality can be transformed. 

The group will invest 33% in retail sales, 33% in animals rearing and 34% in agriculture.

In this group: María , Nela, Rosita

Translated from Spanish by Kiva volunteerSalvador Quintanilla. View original language description.