Angela™

Angela B. of Managua, Nicaragua is a seamstress and single mother of two.

When demand for her clothing at the local market grew, she struggled to meet demand due to the cost of buying fabric in bulk. A friend said, "To grow your business, you need to get a loan!"

After a solid business plan presentation, she was approved for a loan of $1,200. Angela used her loan to buy material in bulk, "It would be very difficult for me to grow my business without this loan," said Angela.

Elia Rose™  (El-ee-ah Rose)

Elia Rose O. of Managua, Nicaragua begins her day at 5 a.m. making tortillas on a wood stove for sale in her neighborhood.

Initially, she had only enough profit to buy small quantities of flour at retail. A $250 microloan enabled her to buy flour in bulk.

Today she makes 200 tortillas daily, earning $2, the average daily wage in Nicaragua. Her income supplements her husband’s monthly salary of $100. Thanks to her business success their children are able to attend school and now dream of going to university.

Eusebia™ (Eh-oo-seh-be-ah

Eusebia R. of Teustepe, Nicaragua is an entrepreneur and mother of 12.

In 1999, after Hurricane Mitch, she received a $100 microloan to sow one acre of red beans. Between 2000 and 2006, thanks to her prompt payment history, she was approved for six additional loans.

This hard-working, community minded woman now owns 100 acres and her business includes a hog farm, a dairy farm and cheese production.

 

Queen Mwasaga™ (Mmm-wha-sa-go

Queen Mwasaga of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, operates her own clothing business and employs two people.

Her microloan enabled her to buy fabric at wholesale prices and within a few months she was seeing an increase in profits.

Her increased income provides an education for her two children and an orphan who now shares their home.  

 

                                Karen™

As a child, Karen B. of Managua, Nicaragua endured operations on a deformed right leg, yet she has not let a disability slow her down.

After beauty school she opened her beauty shop in the front room of her family's home.

It was difficult to earn enough extra money to buy needed equipment and supplies. She got a boost when she received her first loan of $210.

She now dreams of starting a beauty school to give young women the opportunity to attain financial security.

Nepton™

Nepton lives in Kabul, Afghanistan.

Like many women in her country, she lives a traditional life, not working outside the home, yet she desires to contribute to the family’s income.

To do this she decided to apply for a loan to raise chickens, selling the eggs to local shopkeepers.

Her business has grown so large that she now uses her neighbor's yard, as well as her own!

Razia™

Life in Pakistani looked bleak after Razia's husband died. There was no life insurance to care for her and thier two children.

Using her savings she bought two sewing machines and began making clothing, yet couldn't turn a profit due to low margins.

With a $100 microloan Razia purchased material at wholesale and increased her margins. Her business thrived and she now employs five women.

Additionally, her children are in school, she can maintain her home, and she has reestablished a savings account.

Zenita™

Zenita immigrated to the United States from Yugoslavia.  Soon she was left homeless with full responsibilities for caring for her children. 

Through a MEDA program she completed a business-training course which led to successfully opening a pizzeria. Next she hopes to start a Yugoslavian restaurant.

Speaking to a group of women entrepreneurs Zenita offered this encouragement: "Don't look back. Take the step and keep going."