Friendship Bridge....meeting new Entrepreneurs

More new friends....the "gringos" are our grandsons...

children who came to play while the meeting was on..

Marta, works for The Friendship Bridge....she was also
our translator

As many of you know Philip, hates cats...
this little kitten fell in love with Philip and fell asleep
on his arm!

This lady was a first time borrower....she now wants
to go to school with her children and talk to the teacher.
She now has confidence!

America the loan manager....

Philip read the book "Banking for the Poor"....
this resulted in us checking out the website for
micro financing....an organization "Friendship Bridge" from Colorado has
been in Guatemala since 1998 and have given out 18000 loans
in 2007. We visited the office in Panajachel and then visited
the women who had been given loans.
The women in the picture are lenders who have all started
their own businesses and are excited that their children can attend school,
and that they can now support their families.
We were impressed with the dedication, commitment and excitment
of each of the women.