Microloans Help Guatemalan Women Reach Their Goals

Summary

Maya women receive microloans, business training and ongoing technical support to start small businesses and ultimately realize long-term economic security for themselves and their families.

What is the issue, problem, or challenge?

76% of Guatemala’s indigenous population lives in poverty. Maya women, in particular, have limited ways to contribute to the economic stability of their families. The effects of poverty -- lack of food, education, jobs -- are especially profound for indigenous families. This project offers microloans, business training and technical support to 125 Maya women. Their businesses create a source of income allowing them to contribute financially to their families and their communities in general.

How will this project solve this problem?

Loan recipients develop a business plan and attend business administration training. During the course of their business start-up, they receive 4 additional trainings and benefit from ongoing technical assistance and supervision.

Potential Long Term Impact

Local communities will grow and prosper. Women tend to invest the money they earn in their families, education, and homes which ultimately stabilizes and strengthens the social and economic sectors of their communities.

Project Message

“The greatest impact of the microloan program is women have learned to manage their resources better and they feel good about themselves because they are contributing to the family income.”
- Mirian Otzin de Otzoy, Program Coordinator, MayaWorks Guatemala

Additional Documentation

This project has provided additional documentation in a Microsoft Word file (projdoc.doc).

Resources

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