Amistad y Fe is a partnership between the community of La Morena and the parish of Queenship of Mary. Its roots began with our first visit to this community in June 2008.
Amistad y Fe is a program of solidarity lending, whereby the people of La Morena build a relationship with the people of Queenship of Mary, and then, having participated in a process of formation and grown in relationship with the people of their community, take out small loans to grow their business and provide for their families.These loans are granted at a low rate of interest, for a term of 10 months. During the term the participants continue to participate both in large group formation sessions and small Christian support groups, as well as other activities in support of one another.
In the first round of loans, granted in 2010/2011 there were a total of 20 participants. In successive years this number grew quite a bit, but now in our tenth year of loans the number stands at 38. Due to economic hardships faced by the coffee farmers and program changes, the number of loans declined for a time, but we are now on a path of strengthening our Partnership and the number is growing once again!
Of the most recent loans, many are for small businesses, while others are for agriculture or raising of pigs, the majority of the loans were granted to women. These current loans are due January 2020.
Three Principles guide our work:
#1: God and faith are the foundation of our lives & program.
#2: We are to think and work collectively.
#3: Each person is to take on responsibility for the program.
The success of Amistad y Fe rests in the ongoing implementation of these three principles. We are working with the people of La Morena to create a sense of ownership to ensure that ultimately the participants take on responsibility for the mission and success of Amistad y Fe.
In the meantime, if you would like to know more about Amistad y Fe or to participate in its work, contact any of the people listed on the Guatemala 'home' page of this website and they'd be happy to assist you!
