Adding to basket
Fifty-nine-year-old Ilma, a mother of four children over the age of thirty-seven and a grandmother of twelve, was widowed ten years ago. She shares that she completed the sixth grade and then helped her parents at home until she was eighteen when she opened her prepared food and catalog businesses. Ilma has run these businesses for forty-one years and added new ones, including the sales of ice creams, sausages, and birds.
Ilma sells from her home. She is requesting her second Kiva loan to buy more birds, bird food, ingredients for her recipes, and meat.
“Mujeres Bendecidas” or “Blessed Women” is the name that eight women, including Ilma, have given to their Friendship Bridge Trust Bank. They live in the department/state of Huehuetenango, and Ilma is the President of the group. Some of the ladies sell prepared foods, ice creams, and clothing while others sell personal care products.
As the women have little or no formal education, they benefit greatly from monthly educational training, part of the “Microcredit Plus” program. Topics for the training are relevant to their lives and include information about health, hygiene, nutrition, women’s issues, family matters, and business. They learn about self-esteem, women’s rights and roles, and empowerment.
Ilma and her friends appreciate the kindness and generosity of Kiva lenders from all parts of the world. Thank you to each of you!
In this group: Zuly Jeannet, Ilma, Jackelin Elizabeth , Maria Isabel, Maria Aracely, Virginia , Maria Del Carmen , Virginia Yakeira
