PARTNER CHURCH, EL DIVINO, IN GUATEMALA
Providing support through educational scholarships and prayer.
Microloan Project
A JOINT PROJECT OF PRESBYTERIAN WOMEN FROM THE PRESBYTERY OF WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA AND SUCHITEPEQUEZ AND SUR OCCIDENTEPRESBYTERIES
WOMEN FINDING OPPORTUNITY AND HOPE
Profiles of Microloan Recipients
Overcoming Obstacles
Some may remember Sabina from Cycle 1, who had two pigs stolen shortly before she was ready to sell them and subsequently left the project discouraged. She reentered this third cycle and invested in selling firewood, making cheese, and growing corn. Her family helps with her business activities, and she says they are "very blessed" because things are going quite well. Sabina is an excellent example of persistence in overcoming obstacles to achieve success.
Record Keeping
Evelia is 51 years old and, because she only went to first grade, has very limited reading and writing skills. However, as she was completing this loan cycle, she brought a paper and said, "I don't know how to write, but I asked my granddaughter to write down everything that I did and here it is. You are going to see that everything went very well for me." Evelia has kept her business raising pigs, chickens, ducks and turkey well organized. Her granddaughter helped keep careful records, and indeed, it has gone very well.
Mother and Daughter
Lesvia and Debora are members of the Las Animas microloan group. Debora is 21 years old and single. When she was 14 and in 6th grade, her father died and she had to leave school to help her family. Debora did domestic work in various homes, but is now part of the microloan project. She hopes to save money to fulfill her dream of continuing her studies. Lesvia is the treasurer of her microloan group, is responsible, and provides positive leadership to the Las Animas project. For their business, Lesvia and Debora raise pigs, chickens and turkeys. Debora has three other sisters who live at home who also help with the work of the business.
All in the Family
This is the Mendez family from the group in Coatepeque: mother Claudia, with daughters (from left to right) Judith, Irma, and Olga. They are hardworking women, dynamic, cheerful and responsible, who have not only fully met all requirements, but have also accumulated solid savings.
Visit us on Facebook - "Guatemala Microloan Project" - to read
more about Sabina and to see photos and stories
of these and many other participants.
SUMMARY OF CYCLE 3
Overall the women continue with a very good rhythm of work, faithful participation in monthly meetings, and continued savings. Most of their businesses are going well, with some seeing very good results.
Progress:
Challenges: One woman was unable to repay her loan because difficult family circumstances required all her profits go to daily living expenses. Her savings partially repaid the loan. In addition, the Santo Domingo group worked together one day to sell food in order to repay the balance.
Future Cycles: The women have accomplished much through the first 3 loan cycles. To further strengthen participants, there will be additional training and activities provided during cycles 4-6. Topics covered will include social and productive development and preventive health.
Alternative Giving for Christmas
Honor others this Christmas by giving the gift that gives twice!
In exchange for a donation to the Guatemala Microloan Project, we will send a card to you or the person you designate that tells of your gift in their honor.
For more information or to order, contact Debby Vial
at debby.vial@gmail.com or 502-407-7402.
YOUR SUPPORT IS IMPORTANT
Your investment in the lives of women in Guatemala
through the Microloan Project makes a difference.
To contribute, make check payable to PW PWNC,
designate for the Guatemala Microloan Project
and send to PW Treasurer:
Sharon Meares
1012 10th ST CT NW
Hickory, NC 28601
To arrange a program for your church group or to learn more, contact
Ellen Dozier at ellendozier@hotmail.com or 828-403-3988
or Mimi Michael at mimimichael17@gmail.com or 828-465-0335.
To serve as a prayer partner contact Sue Barrett at suebar@comporium.net
or 828-553-3621.
Providing support through educational scholarships and prayer.
Microloan Project
A JOINT PROJECT OF PRESBYTERIAN WOMEN FROM THE PRESBYTERY OF WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA AND SUCHITEPEQUEZ AND SUR OCCIDENTEPRESBYTERIES
WOMEN FINDING OPPORTUNITY AND HOPE
Profiles of Microloan Recipients
Overcoming Obstacles
Some may remember Sabina from Cycle 1, who had two pigs stolen shortly before she was ready to sell them and subsequently left the project discouraged. She reentered this third cycle and invested in selling firewood, making cheese, and growing corn. Her family helps with her business activities, and she says they are "very blessed" because things are going quite well. Sabina is an excellent example of persistence in overcoming obstacles to achieve success.
Record Keeping
Evelia is 51 years old and, because she only went to first grade, has very limited reading and writing skills. However, as she was completing this loan cycle, she brought a paper and said, "I don't know how to write, but I asked my granddaughter to write down everything that I did and here it is. You are going to see that everything went very well for me." Evelia has kept her business raising pigs, chickens, ducks and turkey well organized. Her granddaughter helped keep careful records, and indeed, it has gone very well.
Mother and Daughter
Lesvia and Debora are members of the Las Animas microloan group. Debora is 21 years old and single. When she was 14 and in 6th grade, her father died and she had to leave school to help her family. Debora did domestic work in various homes, but is now part of the microloan project. She hopes to save money to fulfill her dream of continuing her studies. Lesvia is the treasurer of her microloan group, is responsible, and provides positive leadership to the Las Animas project. For their business, Lesvia and Debora raise pigs, chickens and turkeys. Debora has three other sisters who live at home who also help with the work of the business.
All in the Family
This is the Mendez family from the group in Coatepeque: mother Claudia, with daughters (from left to right) Judith, Irma, and Olga. They are hardworking women, dynamic, cheerful and responsible, who have not only fully met all requirements, but have also accumulated solid savings.
Visit us on Facebook - "Guatemala Microloan Project" - to read
more about Sabina and to see photos and stories
of these and many other participants.
SUMMARY OF CYCLE 3
Overall the women continue with a very good rhythm of work, faithful participation in monthly meetings, and continued savings. Most of their businesses are going well, with some seeing very good results.
Progress:
- There has been good consolidation of the groups and integration of group members.
- Strong leaders are developing, and women have been able to adapt and connect with each other. The members of the group in Coatepeque, especially, have different personalities, ideas, and forms of expression, yet are working together well and are committed to the group's success.
- The groups are enjoying increased dialogue and a greater ability to identify and resolve conflict.
- Participants have grown accustomed to the workings of the microloan project. It is as if the women have always done this.
- The habit of saving money is becoming just that - a habit!
Challenges: One woman was unable to repay her loan because difficult family circumstances required all her profits go to daily living expenses. Her savings partially repaid the loan. In addition, the Santo Domingo group worked together one day to sell food in order to repay the balance.
Future Cycles: The women have accomplished much through the first 3 loan cycles. To further strengthen participants, there will be additional training and activities provided during cycles 4-6. Topics covered will include social and productive development and preventive health.
Alternative Giving for Christmas
Honor others this Christmas by giving the gift that gives twice!
In exchange for a donation to the Guatemala Microloan Project, we will send a card to you or the person you designate that tells of your gift in their honor.
For more information or to order, contact Debby Vial
at debby.vial@gmail.com or 502-407-7402.
YOUR SUPPORT IS IMPORTANT
Your investment in the lives of women in Guatemala
through the Microloan Project makes a difference.
To contribute, make check payable to PW PWNC,
designate for the Guatemala Microloan Project
and send to PW Treasurer:
Sharon Meares
1012 10th ST CT NW
Hickory, NC 28601
To arrange a program for your church group or to learn more, contact
Ellen Dozier at ellendozier@hotmail.com or 828-403-3988
or Mimi Michael at mimimichael17@gmail.com or 828-465-0335.
To serve as a prayer partner contact Sue Barrett at suebar@comporium.net
or 828-553-3621.
