Corazon Del Centro 2 Group

Neighborhood convenience stores throughout Guatemala provide inventory for the basic necessities in communities. Sixty-six-year-old Juana opened her store twenty-five years ago. She is the mother of four grown children who range in age from nineteen to forty-five and four grandchildren. Her husband left to work in the United States thirty years ago.

Because her store is so busy, Juana has hired an employee to attend customers. Ten years ago she opened an additional business selling secondhand clothing. Both businesses occupy the same locale. She requests her first Kiva loan to buy more much-needed inventory for the store including basic items and beverages, and more secondhand clothing.

Juana and six Maya K’iche women formed the Friendship Bridge Trust Bank “Corazon del Centro 2” in their community in the department/state of Retalhuleu. They benefit greatly from the “Microcredit Plus” program (loans, education, healthcare) since they have little or no formal education and health care is difficult to access. Monthly interactive educational training covers useful topics like health, nutrition, hygiene, as well as the dangers of over-indebtedness and women’s rights/roles. They also learn about effective business management practices, self esteem and empowerment. Every two months, they have access to basic health care services.

Thank you, Kiva lenders, for helping Juana and her friends help themselves!

In this group: Yoselin Deidania , Florinda , Olga Marina , Elda Marizol , Brenda Conzuelo , Maria , Juana