Current Banks
Here are a few of our active Banks in Alta Verapaz, Guatemala. Women First Banks are each named by their members.
“Hard Working Women” (Mujeres Trabajadoras)
Group Members: 38
Village: San Vicente Chicatal
Context: Located 56 Kilometers, or 2 hours by bus from Coban, the capital city of the province of Alta Verapaz, San Vicente is a village consisting of roughly 80 families. The average family has 6 to 10 members. The first language is Q’eqchi (one of the Mayan languages) however a minority of the population also speaks fluent Spanish. The village lacks electricity. Transport is a key concern in San Vicente as buses are expensive and unreliable. Houses are primarily made of wood with dirt floors.
Business Types: Chicken raising, pig raising, small variety stores, sale of tortillas, cardamom farming
Loan Amounts: $127-$186 Canadian dollars
A few words from clients in this Bank: “This is a great opportunity that you are providing us with. It is much better and different from the other institutions or people that have come here. At first they said they would help. Then they didn’t come back.”
“We hope that one day our children will be able to work and receive a microcredit as well just like the one that Impact First is offering us.”
“Women United” (Mujeres Unidas)
Group Members: 40
Village: San Vicente Chicatal
Context: See “Hard Working Women” above
Business Types: Pig raising, chicken raising, cardamom farming, corn farming
Loan Amounts: $127-$186 Canadian dollars
A few words from clients in this Bank: “Thanks to this loan I take better care of my crops and plant more to have a bigger harvest this year.”
“I will use this loan to buy more chickens, fatten them up, and sell them. That's how my business will grow.”
“I will now be able to help pay for my children to get an education. I will give them a better future.”
“Indigenous Women” (Mujeres Indigenas)
Group Members: 39
Village: Chamil
Context: The village consists of roughly 400 families. The first language is Q’eqchi however some of the population also speaks fluent Spanish. The village has a small local market, however everything there is expensive by local standards due to the cost of transportation to the village. Although the nearest town is only 21 km away, the road is very poor, and especially during rainy periods it can be dangerous. This is a school serving San Juan Chamelco, however approximately 60% of the female population is illiterate.
Business Types: Traditional dress making, candle making, sale of wood, chicken raising, pig raising, small variety stores, sale of tortillas, fruit stands
Loan Amounts: $127-$260 Canadian dollars
A few words from clients in this Bank: “We are pleased to know that we are among the first clients of this new Impact First Guatemala program.”
“This is the first time in my life I’ve been offered a loan, my business is the sale of wood and of fruits.”
“Women Working with their Hands” (Mujeres Mano a la Obra)
Group Members: 28
Village: Vista Hermosa Xaliha
Context: Nearly three years ago Vista Hermosa Xaliha was completely devastated by a landslide which leveled the village and killed many of its inhabitants. Survivors were able to rebuild the village on a smaller but better positioned piece of land. As a result the houses are very close together unlike in other villages in the area. Farmers maintain fields which are several hours walk away from the village.
Vista Hermosa Xaliha is comprised of about 50 families. It is roughly 60 kilometers, or 2 hours by bus, from the nearest city. The first language is Q’eqchi however a minority of the population also speaks Spanish. The village does not have electricity.
Business Types: Cardamom farming, corn farming, cow raising, carpentry
Loan Amounts: $127-$260 Canadian dollars
A few words from clients in this Bank: “I want to study so that one day I can be like the Director [of Impact First Guatemala] who comes in a car to help the community.” (Son of one of the clients)
“I want to take full advantage of this opportunity.”
“Women Weavers” (Mujeres Tejedoras)
Group Members: 35
Village: Chajbul
Context: This is a village created after the population grew and ran out of good farming land in the better established Chamil (one kilometer away). The village does not have electricity. It is comprised of about 76 families. The majority of the women do not read or write and speak only Q’eqchi.
Business Types: Pig raising, chicken raising, sale of fruits, small corner stores, production and sale of clothes
Loan Amounts: $127 Canadian dollars
A few words from clients in this Bank: “We’ve never had a microloan. Once an organization came and said they’d give us loans but later they didn’t follow through.”
“Fighters for the Future” (Luchadoras del Futuro)
Group Members: 36
Village: Chicojl
Context: Chicojl is 12 km from the nearest commerical center and enjoys more ready access to transport than some of the other villages. It consists of roughly 275 families. The majority of the women do not read or write and speak only Q’eqchi. One major concern for villagers is the lack of a reliable water supply. Many rely heavily on collecting rainwater or have to buy bottled water, which can be beyond their means.
Business Types: Chicken raising, pig raising, sale of fruit, small variety stores, cardamom farming, corn farming, coffee farming
Loan Amounts: $127-$381 Canadian dollars
A few words from clients in this Bank: “Thank you Impact First Guatemala for coming from far away to work with us, the women, so we can have our own businesses for the good of our families and to be able to put our children into school.”
“I didn’t know that there was an institution that works to support the women here in Guatemala. We’re going to work hard to pay back our loan within our 9 months so that we can get another one.”
“Thank you for thinking about us, the women, because we have very few opportunities to go out and work so now with these loans you’ve given us we can work from home.”
“Flower of Lama” (Flor de Lama)
Group Members: 28
Village: Lama
Context: Lama is a small (about 96 families) and remote village where the majority of women speak only Q’eqchi. Lama does not have electricity. Since it rains much of the year, local roads are muddy and can be dangerous.
Business Types: Production of güipiles (traditional blouses), production of candles, chicken raising, pig raising, small variety stores
Loan Amounts: $127 Canadian dollars
A few words from clients in this Bank: “This is so new for me that I am a little bit frightened. This is the first time I will ever have a loan.”
“I’m going to buy more string to make my güipiles [traditional blouses].”
“It’s good that you came to our community to see how much need there is.”
“Project for Women's Development” (Proyecto por Desarrollo de Mujeres)
Group Members: 42
Village: Chicuchub Chiayin
Context: This village is comprised of about 50 households and is remote, being nearly 2 hours drive over bad roads from the nearest city. The village does not have electricity and has serious problems with water shortages as well. Many village members are farmers and walk up to 2 hours to reach their fields. The majority of women speak only Q’eqchi.
Business Types: Chicken raising, pig raising, small variety stores, cardamom farming, corn farming, coffee farming
Loan Amounts: $127-$186 Canadian dollars
A few words from clients in this Bank: “As women, we have been ignored. That’s the reason I am very content to be working with this new Institution.”
“A loan is a great way to help us because without money we can’t look after our crops properly.”
“Daughters of don Juan Matalbatz*” (Hijas de don Juan Matalbatz)
*Don Juan Matalbatz was a local chief in San Juan Chamelco who became a famous hero for leading the fight against the Spanish conquistadores.
Group Members: 42
Village: Chamil
Context: See “Indigenous Women” above.
Business Types: Production of güipiles, sale of medicines, sale of tortillas, sale of clothes, small variety stores, chicken raising, pig raising
Loan Amounts: $127-$186 Canadian dollars
A few words from clients in this Bank: “It’s really good that you support women that don’t have an education like us by giving us a microcredit.”
“The other institutions in Alta Verapaz don’t want to support us because we’re poor people.”
“It’s great that you come to our communities instead of us spending money to travel all the way to [the city of] Coban.”
“It’s good for us to learn how to have savings. We can teach this to our children as well.”
“Mayan Women at Work” (Mujeres Mayas del Trabajo)
Group Members: 36
Village: San Miguel Chamil
Context: Five kilometers from the slightly larger Chamil, San Miguel Chamil is more remote, a two kilometer walk to the nearest route were unrealiable minibuses pass by from time to time. The village consists of about 140 families and lacks electricity but does have reliable water sources. Over 80% of the women are illiterate.
Business Types: Production of güipiles, small variety stores, turkey raising, chicken raising
Loan Amounts: $127-$186 Canadian dollars
A few words from clients in this Bank: “I’m afraid to go into a bank and cash this cheque. This will be the first time I have ever gone inside a bank.”
“I couldn’t believe that we were really getting this microcredit. Sometimes here in the community it is really tough to find a loan of 6 or 12 dollars.”
“As women, we aren’t used to being taken seriously or to having meetings together like this.”
“Other organizations don’t come here. It is because we are very far and they have to walk instead of taking a car.”
“Quixalian Women's Development” (Mujeres de Desarrollo de Quixal)
Group Members: 38
Village: Quixal
Context: Quixal is a village comprised of about 175 families. While the village has electricity, it lacks ready access to running water; many families rely heavily on collecting rainwater.
Business Types: pig raising, corn farming, coffee farming, small variety stores, shoe making
Loan Amounts: $127-$186 Canadian dollars
A few words from clients in this Bank: “Now I will have money to fertilize my corn and coffee crops.”
“I feel really happy because inspite of the fact that I’m very poor you’re helping me. I’m going to use this loan to buy chickens and fatten them.”
“Because of Impact First we’re participating in a bunch of new activities in our community.”
“Women from the Land of Mining” (Mujeres Tierra de las Minas)
Group Members: 30
Village: Caquipec
Context: Caquipec has around 200 families and enjoys access to some services that many of the surrounding villages lack (electricity, running water, a public school and a local market). In the 1980s there was some tin and zinc mining done in the area. While the mines have been closed for a long time, the community's infrastructure was built up a bit by international companies. Nevertheless, roads to Caquipec are very poor.
Business Types: chicken raising, pig raising, turkey raising, sale of fruit, sale of clothes, small variety stores, candle making, production of güipiles
Loan Amounts: $127 Canadian dollars
A few words from clients in this Bank: “I can't believe it. This has all happened very fast!”
“Normally to get a loan I would have to use the deed to my land as collateral and it would be a drawn out process.”
“Women Dreamers” (Mujeres Soñadoras)
Group Members: 31
Village: Chicojl
Context: See "Fighters for the Future" above
Business Types: chicken raising, pig raising, cardamom farming, sale of fruits and spices
Loan Amounts: $186 Canadian dollars
A few words from clients in this Bank: “Now we women have the right to participate in different activities. Now our points of view are considered. Together with my husband, I am going to be working so my children can get ahead in life.”
“Thank you for working with women, it's important that we as women can teach our children to work so they don't start stealing.”
“Women of the Well” (Qana' Julha')
Group Members: 35
Village: Chisap
Context: The nearly 100 families that live in Chisap lack access to schools, electricity and, in many houses, running water. There is a large natural "well" that many women collect water from, for which they named their Women First Bank Qana' ("Woman" in Q’eqchi) Julha' ("Well"). This Women First Bank holds the distinction of being the first one opened in Guatemala entirely through interest from other microcredits.
Business Types: pig raising, cow raising, cardamom farming
Loan Amounts: $186 Canadian dollars
A few words from clients in this Bank: “I'm happy that I can work now to show my children a better path. My children will be able to go to school, they will have the opportunity to keep studying, a chance that I never had because I am poor.”
“Thank you for coming all the way to Chisap. There is no one else doing what you do.”
“Living Water” (Agua Viva)
Group Members: 28
Village: Cojila
Context: Cojila does not have electricty but does enjoy access to running water all year round. The village has the most relibable transportation of any of the villages Impact First is serving in Guatemala. Cojila consists of about 95 families.
Business Types: pig raising, chicken raising, turkey raising, sale of clothing, production of güipiles, production of aprons, sale of fruit
Loan Amounts: $127 Canadian dollars
A few words from clients in this Bank: “It's amazing that I can get a loan because my business [making traditional blouses] is very small. Other organizations don't help people with businesses as small as mine is.”
“The staff of Impact First has attended to us well. They have been patient and they even brought our loan cheques to our village!”
“Women Who Triumph” (Mujeres Triunfadoras)
Group Members: 34
Village: Sehubub
Context: Sehubub has electricity and most of the residents also enjoy access to running water. Women generally speak only Q'eqchi and the vast majority are illiterate.
Business Types: pig raising, chicken raising, production of güipiles, clothing sale
Loan Amounts: $127 Canadian dollars
A few words from clients in this Bank: “Someone cheated me about a loan before... but this time it is true!”
“Many times organizations don't accept single mothers, they don't want anything to do with me. But this is so good that you are helping me with a microcredit.”
Impact First is a proud member of: