Guatemalan loan from Kiva

Made a loan to a Group in Guatemala, the "Chaquijya Central" who are taking out their second loan.

Ten of the women are skilled in beading; crafting beautiful bracelets, necklaces, and earrings from tiny translucent beads, and selling them in the streets of nearby tourist towns, as well as through orders that friends and neighbors place. They will invest their loans in beads and string, which they purchase from a market in Sololá. Olga Tunay says that for the first time, with the help of their previous loan, they were able to buy beads in bulk, which drastically reduced the cost, as well as the number of trips they must make to the market.

Two women are skilled weavers, producing "huipiles" (the traditional Mayan blouse) and skirts like the ones in the picture. They will invest their loan in thread to weave these intricate clothes. A single huipil can take up to three months to make, and after an initial investment of $30-$50, it can be sold for up to $200. These huipiles represent a woman's home town, her marital status, and other interests and beliefs.

Julia in Guatemala

Found a loan to a Julia in Kiva today - in a group from Guatemala from one of my favorite Micro finance institution.

The majority of the 28 women are artisans, born and raised in a region known for its beautiful weavings. Of the 28 women, 11 are asking for a loan of 32,500 quetzales ($4,275), ranging from $300 to $400 per person. All of these women will invest their loans in weaving and embroidery businesses, purchasing thread and fabric for intricate huipiles (traditional woven blouses, like the ones in the picture), skirts, scarves, and blankets. The supplies they purchase come from the nearby town of Santiago de Atitlán. One woman also sells firewood, the main source of fuel in the area, to supplement her weaving business. She will use about 25% of her loan to invest in firewood.

Helping Guatemalan Women via KIVA

My loan today was to the "Las Trabajadoras Tolimán" group, Guatemalan women from the the San Gregorio neighborhood in San Lucas Tolimán, Sololá. This group of women is sure to pay the loan back, and it will help the community in so many ways.

Some of the women will use the money to purchase products to restock their stores, such as eggs, sugar, salt, soap, and detergent. Others will invest in corn, beans, and coffee in bulk, which they will then sell to their communities. The rest will go towards colorful threads and fabric to make their weavings.

The dream of the women of Las Trabajadoras Tolimán is to provide as best they can for their children. They are overcoming their hardships and determined to provide an education for their children, in order that they can have a better future.

I think Kiva is going to have a significant effect on the next generation.

Kiva

I used some Kiva credits (88 of my loans have been repaid so far) and made two loans, to groups.
Juana Claudia Coras De Auccapuclla's Group in Ayacucho, Peru is mostly doing agriculture, and Las Costureras Group in Guatemala who makes clothing. I really want to support Guatemala clothing. I wear it all the time.