La Esperanza Chiabal Group

Fifty-one-year-old Simiona recalls that her parents funded her education for three years, and then she had to work caring for the family sheep and cattle. She married a farmer, and they have six children ranging in age from 16 to 33, as well as 10 grandchildren. Ten years ago, she opened her business raising sheep, pigs, cattle, and chickens that she sells from her home. Two of her daughters and her husband help her feed the chickens and livestock. She wants to enlarge the size of her business, and with her third Kiva loan, she will buy more sheep and feed for them, including corn and hay.

Six women elected Simiona to be President of their Friendship Bridge Trust Bank, “La Esperanza Chiabal”. She calls monthly meetings to order, the ladies make loan payments, and then participate in educational training, part of the “Microcredit Plus” program of loans, education (health, family, women, business), and bi-monthly healthcare services. Recent topics for the training have been about business administration, savings, and women’s health. Every other month, a nurse visits their community, makes them feel comfortable, and offers exams, consults, and family planning. These “plus” services are essential for their success as women, mothers, and entrepreneurs, since they have little or no formal education, and healthcare services are challenging to access.

Thank you, Kiva lenders, for lending a helping hand!

In this group: Lorenza , Miriam Noelia, Yolanda , Maria, Simiona Demetrida, Hermitania , Morelia