Las Buganbilias Group

77-year-old Marta is a divorced mother of four adult children over the age of 37, a grandmother of eight and a great-grandmother of five! Because she came from a large family, Marta only attended school for nine years.

For 29 years Marta has prepared and sold delicious lunches. Fifteen years ago, one of her daughters taught her how to bake cakes, so she opened another business. She shares that both businesses are thriving. She sells by custom order and is grateful for the support of her daughters. She is requesting her first Kiva loan to buy flour, meat, vegetables, milk, margarine, and oil. Her goal is to keep growing her businesses!

Marta is one of seven Spanish-speaking women who live in the department/state of Quetzaltenango. They formed the Friendship Bridge Trust Bank “Las Buganbilias” (bougainvilleas). They each have their own business, such as selling bed linens, chorizos, prepared foods or cakes, and raising pigs to sell.

As part of Friendship Bridges’ Microcredit Plus program, the women meet monthly, make loan payments and participate in educational training on such topics as business, health, family and women led by a facilitator. Every other month, they have access to healthcare services including exams, consultations and family planning.

Marta and her friends send their gratitude to Kiva lenders from all parts of the world who fund their loans. Thank you to each lender for your generosity!

In this group: Marina Dolores , Sonia Aracely , Jacqueline Ana Luisa , Marta Isabel , Grettell Nathaly , Edilma Yaneth , Olga Elizabeth