Inmaculada Concepcion Group

Thirty year old Maria is the President of the Friendship Bridge Trust Bank “Inmaculada Concepcion” in the department/state of Totonicapán. Her husband is a farmer and they have four children who range in age from six to thirteen. They all attend school. She has a fifth grade education. For ten years, Maria has fabricated roof tiles with the help of six employees. On a daily basis, she can turn out three-hundred. Three years ago, along with the help of her husband and older children, she added a business making rope. She requests her seventh Kiva loan to buy sand, cement and clay at the wholesale level. Her goals are to expand the business, meet demands, educate her children and increase income.

Each month, Maria calls the Trust Bank meetings to order and the six Maya K’iche women in the group make loan payments. They participate in an interactive educational training, part of the “Microcredit Plus” program of loans, education and healthcare. They learn to effectively manage their convenience stores, tortilla shops, as well as the sales of beans and traditional textiles as they learn about budgeting, planning and prioritizing expenses. They also learn about health, women’s issues and family matters. Every other month, they have access to basic healthcare services.

Thank you, Kiva lenders, for lending a helping hand to Maria and her friends. They are taking steps to create brighter futures!

In this group: Rosario , Maria Elena , Santos Agustina , Maria , Antonia , Angelica Cirstina , Ana