To build the capacity of indigenous Mayan women to lead their families and communities to increased well-being, including better health and higher incomes, through microcredit access and business management training.
This five year project will improve the quality of life and standard of living of families in marginalized communities in Guatemala through the promotion of women’s education, leadership, health and economic development.
This project provides weekly business classes to women in marginalized communities; it utilizes weekly classes to train women in financial management (including budgeting and savings) and family health matters; and, it also promotes business growth through access to microloans.
Update from the field: March 2009
MAGDALENE ORGANIZ TOMAS
Guatemala – Business Development
In Comitancillo, Guatemala, a young mother is smiling. With her two small girls by her side, Magdalene Organiz Tomas calls over her new investment, a plump pink pig, to pose for a picture. This year, Magda lene has begun to participate in CAUSE Canada’s Business Development Program, where she attends weekly classes on topics like budgeting, entrepreneurship and record-keeping. After attending eight weeks of classes, participants are eligible to receive small loans starting at $50 CDN to invest in their business ventures. As the loan process continues, loan amounts increase.
Magdalene has chosen to invest in the buying and selling of animals and their products. “I am on my second loan,” Magdalene boasts, “and when I pay back my second loan I am going to buy chickens.” While these loan amounts may be small, their impact is large. “Now we have more power in the community because we have animals!” Magdalene exclaims. She plans to use her increased profits to buy a new roof for her house to keep her girls dry and warm, which is especially important during the six-month rainy season. Magdalene is excited about her future—she beams with pleasure when talking about her plans for her daughters and all of the opportunities that now exist for her and her small ones.
- Lives Affected: 200
- Target Start Date: November 1, 2007
- Funding Requirement: $56,060.00
- Raised: $0.00
- Current Need: $56,060.00
Raised to date: $0.00
- Organization: CAUSE Canada
- Description: CAUSE Canada’s key strategies: * implements responsive, integrated community development in geographical regions where there is an under-representation of international assistance programs.... Read more…
