 |
NamasteDirect Partners
NamasteDirect works with well-established partner organizations
in Guatemala and Mexico to ensure that our local efforts are conducted
in a professional manner by people on the ground who are
knowledgeable about and sensitive to the culture and customs.
|
|
FAPE
(Fundación de Asistencia para Pequeña Empresa)
Guatemala City, Guatemala
Number of clients: 3,300 (92% women)
Outstanding loans: $453,000
Staff: 33
Director: Sergio Gonzales
Started in 1984, FAPE supports microenterprise
development in rural communities in Guatemala. The organization's methodology is primarily group
lending through a model called Bancos de Mujeres de Confianza (Banks of
Trustworthy Women). Recently, FAPE has also started offering basic business education to each microcredit borrower. The FAPE staff is a dedicated and heartfelt team that works hard toward toward their mission of helping families rise out of poverty. |
| |
|
 |
Edubanco (Care)
Chichicastenango, Guatemala
Number of clients: 1,695 (100% women)
Outstanding loans: $668,664
Interim Director: Luis Gaitan
The EDUBANCO project provides microcredit loans and seeks to support elementary education for borrowers' children. Women receive discounts on loan interest if their daughters remain in school. This project seeks to empower women and their daughters simultaneously by supporting women's economic opportunities and girl's education, helping to address the education gender gap in Guatemala. CARE collaborates with the Ministry of Education, local partners, teachers and associations in implementing education reform and strengthening the quality of primary education. |
| |
|
|
Community Enterprise Solutions
Nebaj and Antigua, Guatemala
Number of clients: 75
Founders: Greg Van Kirk and George Glickley
www.cesolutions.org
CE Solutions was founded in May of 2004 by former Guatemala Peace Corps Volunteers Greg Van Kirk and George B Glickley. Upon completing their two-year commitment in April of 2003, Greg and George decided to stay on to complete "unfinished work". The CE Solutions team works to transfer both knowledge and resources to local individuals so that they can improve their quality of life and of those of others in their community. Their success is derived from creating practical, low cost and flexible solutions that address real needs and offer compelling opportunities. CE Solutions conducts extensive analysis to ensure that the designed solution and implementation mechanism is one that is appropriate for the local environment and constituents. |
 |
|
 |
AlSol
San Cristobal de las Casas, Mexico
Number of clients: 14,020 (100% Women)
Outstanding loans: $2,400,000
Staff: 34
Director: Katia Corroy
Since 1998, AlSol has been working to provide financial and social services to the poorest
women in the state of Chiapas so that these women and their families can improve their
standard of living. AlSol follows the Grameen methodology and makes its loans to solidarity
groups of three to five women. Using an integrative approach, AlSol aims to address various
facets of extreme poverty, including lack of capital, illiteracy and malnutrition. In addition
to its microcredit program, AlSol offers educational programs for microcredit borrowers and
nutrition programs for their children. |
| |
|
|
Friendship Bridge
Panajachel, Guatemala
Number of clients: 14,460 (100% women)
Outstanding loans: $3,300,000
Staff: 60
Interim Director: Cristian Shoemaker
Working in Guatemala since 1998, Friendship Bridge is committed to reaching the poorest areas of rural Guatemala and providing credit and education to women (primarily Mayan). Topics on business development, self esteem, and women's health are delivered through regularly scheduled repay meetings. In addition, in an effort to support clients desires to enable their children's education, Friendship Bridge offers scholarships and school supplies to thousands of children, and operates a children's learning center in the remote village of Nebaj. |
|
|
|
