Ana Aurelia Asicona del Barrio is a member of the Women's Savings and Microcredit Group.
Originally from San Gaspar Chajul, Guatemala, she attended primary school until the fourth grade.
At the age of twelve, she began helping her mother work, first sorting through coffee beans at the Asociación Chajulense processing plant, and then sorting cardamom in Batzul, Guatemala.
Ana got married at the age of 16 and purchased two looms with her husband, to support the family by weaving women's skirts like the one you see in the photo above.
When funds became very scarce, they could no longer afford the materials to weave. Through her neighbors, Ana learned about financial credits offered by Chajulense de Mujeres, the women's microcredit association.
With these credits, Ana and her husband were able to purchase materials to begin weaving again. They purchased a horse, a small plot of land, and a grocery store. They used credits to expand and remodel the store, adding a lock for greater security.
Since obtaining these credits, Ana has been able to establish a thriving small business in her community. She has since sold the looms and purchased a tuctuc (motorcycle-like taxi).
Between the grocery store and the tuctuc, Ana and her husband are able to generate enough income to support themselves and their two children.
Learn more about the Women's Savings and Microcredit Project, which now has nearly 3,000 participants and is completely self-sustaining, with a savings fund of $147,000 here.