My name is María Cunegunda Coy Cana, I live in the municipal of San Martín Jilotepeque, in the province Chimaltenango. I am 56 years old and a while ago my husband and I got a divorce. With a lot of effort I was able to move forward with my children.
I take part in a communal bank in Guatemala and I breed pigs. With the earnings from my business I was able to pay my children’s education. My daughter Claudia Lorena Lopez Coy made me very happy because she graduated as a primary school teacher. At the moment, she is working as a teacher in the morning and in her free time she helps me with the business.
With the help of the communal bank and the education I was offered I was also able to start other businesses like breeding chickens, selling coffee and a bakery.
Because she takes part in a communal bank, María Cunegunda receives a micro-credit annually. Since Mainel started to collaborate in a scholarship programme for education and micro-credits, the foundation has already supported 5,000 Guatemalan girls and women.
María Cunegunda, as well as her friends, also receives other benefits. In the communal banks that Mainel supports in Guatemala together with ONG Fundap, the women receive advice on how to improve their small businesses, formation of values and first aid… Also, they participate in health days where medical examinations are carried out; preventing diseases like diabetes and cervical or breast cancer.
Even more important than taking part in a communal bank is the strong bond that is created between the constituents. They ended up feeling like a family that shares worries and joys. They motivate each other to move forward and become a important development pillar in their small, rural communities.
Whilst the communal bank is offering education, the women are starting to be able to organize themselves beyond the institution and think in their own needs and initiatives. Some of those banks include saving funds; the money is used in times of need and common funds are used to give loans among each other.
Mainel has been collaborating in this project since 2006. It was developed in rural and poverty stricken areas of the provinces Totonicapán, Quiché, Sololá and Chimaltenango. Every year, 150 women from rural areas are supported with micro-credits to boost their small businesses. Also, scholarships are given to 50 girls, to help their families keep their daughters in school until the age of 14.