Microcredit in the Western Rural Highlands of Guatemala

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Indigenous women dying yarn using traditional non-toxic methods.
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Weaving demonstration using a Back-Strap loom.
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Weaver selling merchandise in a tourist market. The loan funds helped to pay for public transportation to the marketplace.
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A chocolate maker with a grinder purchased with a microloan.
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A chocolate maker with Utopia Board member, Marilyn Fitzgerald.
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A chocolate maker with her husband, the father of her eleven children.
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A village retailer. The merchandise was purchased from the city after one loan cycle of $90.00.
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Retail entrepreneur with a local Loan Officer.
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An agricultural project. The loan funds were used to rent land and purchase flower seeds.
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An entrepreneur taking pride in her successful agricultural enterprise.
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A village retail business after informal business education and several loan cycles to build inventory.
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Back-Strap weaving material that the entrepreneur will embroid on with a sewing machine.
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Using a sewing machine to embroider on the woven cloth, to sell in the marketplace.
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Members of the group micro-loan program representing many individual enterprises.
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Members of a large micro-lending group.
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Members of a large micro-lending group.
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Entrepreneur signing in their attendance at a repayment meeting with thumbprint.
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Group members repayment of loans with interest to the Treasurer of the Group.
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Group members repayment of loans with interest to the Treasurer of the Group.
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Group members repayment of loans with interest to the Treasurer of the Group.
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Loan Officer presenting an informal educational session.
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Group members discussing educational topics at repayment meeting.
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Loan officer presenting an educational session, on a topic requested by the group members.
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Loan Officer assisting group members in voting for Officers of the group.
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Group members sharing business practices practiced in their private enterprise.
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Entrepreneur bringing her baby to the group micro-loan/educational meeting.
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Group-elected Secretary reviewing attendance records.
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Small micro-lending group using natural products to dye yarn for traditional weaving.
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Local products being used to make the natural dyes.
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Village weaver showing product that will be sold to Fair Trade buyers.
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This member used profit from weaving to buy chickens and now sells eggs and provides better nutrition to her children.
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Back-strap weaving products for sale to international buyers.
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Traditional colors and dyes used in back-strap weaving.
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This entrepreneur uses her microloan funds to purchase products from other rural women and sell them.
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Purses, ponchos, cloth weavings have been sold to fair trade vendors to profit microenterprise.
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Traditional back-strap weavings sold to fair trade vendors, tourists and local Guatemalans.
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Traditional back-strap weaving sold to fair trade vendors, tourists and local Guatemalans.
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Hand painted and embroidered greeting cards sold to Fair Trade vendors and tourists.
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Handicrafts sold to Fair Trade vendors and tourists.
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Back-strap weaving used for table and dresser cloth, and in home decor.
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Handicrafts produced by members of the micro-lending group that are sold in the Fair Trade Market.
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Jewelry made by entrepreneurs in the micro-lending group, sold in many tourist areas.

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