During Guatemala’s civil war, Jacinta found refuge in the capital but longed to move back to Guatemala’s western plateau where she was born. When the war ended, Jacinta and her husband were able to move back to her home village, but they could not find sustainable work.

Driven to create a good life for themselves and their five children, Jacinta and her husband purchased a sewing machine and both learned to sew. They began to sew tipica purses and their business grew as they had requests for more types of products. Today, Jacinta and her husband have six sewing machines and employ five people in their business. Empowered through her Friendship Bridge loans and trainings, Jacinta is the President of her 8-member Trust Bank.