Guatemala Women’s
Micro-business Project

For several years we have brainstormed among ourselves in Guatemala, searching for workable solutions in helping the poorest of the women in our mission churches find a way to provide for their families with dignity.  Last January we hosted a short-term mission team that included several people associated with Soles4Souls. While they were here we discussed the possibility of partnering Maya-Mesoamerica Mission with their organization.  Soles4Souls is a non-profit organization based in the United States that makes shoes available to people in need at low or no cost, (www.soles4souls.org).

Recently we received 1,800 pairs of new brand name shoes donated to the mission from Soles4Souls.   We have identified 10 women to initially participate in a micro-business project that Maya-Mesoamerica Mission directs.  The women are trained in fundamental business practices and then given a small inventory of shoes to start their own business.  When the women restock their shoe supply as they sell their initial allotment we charge them a minimal amount to help recover the shipping costs and import taxes.  Each time they sell a pair of shoes they set aside a small amount of money to buy more shoes and they get to keep the remaining profit to feed and clothe their family.  For some, this is the first real opportunity with dignity they have had in their life!

What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, "Go in peace, be warmed and filled," without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. But someone will say, "You have faith and I have works." Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.
(James 2:14-18 ESV)

The goal is to give women in need a “helping hand up”, and not just a “hand out”.  However, during this start-up phase the micro-business project needs money to help the women pay the initial few months rent on a small storefront and our storage costs in Guatemala.  A typical location that a woman might sell her shoes in is about 10’ by 10’ square, and rents for about $100.00 per month.  Would you like to reach out with a helping hand?  You can go to the Donate page on this mission website and get directions to donate by mail, or donate online with your credit card.