Namaste Direct & Fundación Namaste Guatemaya

Namaste Direct & Fundación Namaste Guatemaya is a nonprofit organization with the mission of economically empowering women entrepreneurs in Guatemala to grow profitable businesses and break generational cycles of poverty. The organization addresses the overwhelming correlation between poverty and gender inequality, with over 60% of the population in Guatemala living in poverty and the country having one of the highest rates of violent deaths for women globally. Furthermore, the lack of traditional employment opportunities, especially for women, results in over 70% of working women being self-employed in the informal workforce out of necessity. Since its formal establishment in Guatemala in 2008, over 5,000 women have graduated from Namaste's signature Creating Prosperity Program (CPP), which combines business advising, financial literacy training, customized microloans, and savings clubs to help women entrepreneurs formalize their business models, manage their finances, and dramatically increase their profits. On average, women double their profits in this program, establishing sustainable habits to keep earning more throughout their lives. Namaste's impact extends beyond individual women, as they reinvest their profits for the well-being of their families, strengthening their communities and contributing significantly to the economy. By providing women access to resources for financial management, Namaste enables them to gain agency over their lives, shattering toxic gender dynamics. Hence, the organization's work not only uplifts individuals but also has a broader positive impact on society and the economy. With a focus on the education industry, Namaste Direct & Fundación Namaste Guatemaya is making significant strides towards empowering women entrepreneurs and breaking the cycle of poverty in Guatemala.