Las Estrellas Group

Forty-year-old Andrea has no formal education because her parents were unable to send her to school. She is married to a taxi driver, and they have no children. Ten years ago, she opened her business raising pigs that she sells from her home in the department/state of Suchitepequez. She also sells delicious regional snack foods and complete meals. Andrea requests her first Kiva loan to buy more piglets to raise, feed for them, as well as ingredients for her recipes. Her goals are to expand the businesses and generate additional income.

Andrea was elected Treasurer of the Friendship Bridge Trust Bank, “Las Estrellas” or “The Stars” by seven women. They help support their households by earning income from raising and selling livestock, selling chicken by the pound, making regional snack foods and complete meals, or managing their tortilla shops or small restaurants. They appreciate monthly educational training, designed by a Facilitator who shares information drawn from four areas: business, family, women, and health. Recent topics were about business administration and women’s preventative health measures. Every two months, a visiting nurse comes to their community and offers exams, consults, and family planning.

Thank you, Kiva lenders, for helping Andrea and her friends bolster their business, empower themselves, and create brighter futures!

In this group: Ruth Nohemi, Rosa Maria , Julia Magdalena , Andrea Vicenta, Ana Elisa , Zoila , Maura Mirella, Norma Aracely