Why Women in Guatemala?
Guatemala is home to the largest percentage of female entrepreneurs globally, with 73% of women running small businesses. However, despite their entrepreneurial spirit, many women face significant barriers, including limited financial literacy and predatory lending practices. High interest rates (ranging from 30% to 300% monthly), loan sharks preying on vulnerable situations, and a lack of collateral for women-owned businesses create a dangerous cycle of debt that stifles progress.The Stella Polaris Club is proud to donate 100% of the funds we raise to Women's Justice Initiative, our parent organization dedicated to tackling these challenges with the following innovative and strategic programs:
Women of the Week
Learn more about the incredible women entrepeneurs that Women in Justice is able to support!
Romania owns a leather making business in Samayac, Guatemala with her husband. She has taken out and repaid there loans from WIJ of increasing value helping her grow her monthly profits from $455 to $1210. With Romania’s dedication to her business and her family, she was able to put her three children through higher education.
Hillary is a young entrepreneur and mother who sells second-hand clothing imported from the United States in her community. She is participating in the Cuchubal Match in Samayac, currently in her second six-month cycle of saving and mentorship.
Rosa is a successful member of a Cucuhal Match in Samayac, Guatemala and runs a wood-making business specializing in furniture and cabinetry. She employs two men and serves as a role model in her community, opening her home for monthly Cuchubal Match meetings to support other women entrepreneurs.
Garcia owns an apiary, or a beekeeping business, where she produces and sells honey. She is taking part in the Cuchubal Match in Samayac, where she’s in her second round of savings, business training, and mentorship. Recently Garcia created logo stickers for her company to enhance her marketing strategy.
Maria runs a business buying and selling silver. With the guidance of a Namaste Direct mentor, she has expanded her business through social media channels like Facebook and WhatsApp. Maria’s business goal is to establish her own local jewelry store.
Brenda is a family centered entrepreneur who believes strongly in promoting education in both her business and towards her children. With the Cuchubal Match, she has reinvested her savings to grow her business and become debt free!
Silvia is in the Creating Prosperity Program (CPP) where she recieved a loan to grow her home-based restaurant with guidance from financial mentors. Since then, she has expanded her business from serving sandwiches, stews and smoothies to offering catering services and handicrafts, effectively managing two businesses. With her restaurant thriving, she now aims to grow her handicraft business entering a second loan cycle of the CPP program.