Lunaria 2 Group

María is 23 years old and was able to study up to the sixth grade of primary school as her parents were no longer able to support her. She helped her mother with the household tasks, learning to weave at the age of 12. She supported her parents wit her income from selling her woven products. She got married this year and does not have children.

She learned from her mother about the loans Asociación Chajulense de Mujeres Unidas por la Vida offers.

This year, she will get her fifth loan. All the previous ones she invested in her business weaving güipiles [blouses], rebozos [shawls] and fajas [belts]. This year, she will invest in starting a store of products for daily consumption, purchasing sugar, flour, eggs, and bags of candy.

María is the leader of the Lunaria 2 group. The group is formed by four women, all of Maya Ixil ethnicity. The group will invest 75% in textiles and 25% in retail sales. On average, each member of the group  has two children, the average age of the group members is 34. Twenty-five percent did not finish primary school, 25% finished primary school, 25% finished ninth grade, and 25% graduated from secondary school, eleventh grade. 

In this group: María, Maria Susana, Rosa Esperanza, Rosa

Translated from Spanish by Kiva volunteerWendy H. View original language description.