Peru: Mrs. Quispe, tailoress

Mrs. Quispe sold hats in her village Juliaca in the South of Peru and had difficulties providing for her family. She wanted to buy a weaving machine but did not have enough savings. A friend told her about Cáritas del Perú“, a microfinance institution operating in her region.

Mrs. Qusipe took out a loan of 400 Peruvian Nuevo Soles (approx. 90 Euro) which enabled her to buy a second-hand weaving machine. She quickly paid back her first loan and took out several more loans to finance her growing business. Today she owns 6 weaving machines and employs 6 people who produce a variety of clothes such as cardigans, jumpers, shawls and hats.

Now, Mrs. Quispe can see the future with more confidence and hope. She can now provide for her family and can even set aside a small amount of savings every month. “I hope that Cáritas will be able to help many more women like me,“ she says gratefully.

Kyrgyzstan: Mr. Abdrasulovich, beekeeper

Mr. Abdrasulovich is a born beekeeper. He began to breed bees in his village Kyzyl-Unkur in Kyrgyzstan 10 years ago. He started out with 10 beehives and, thanks to a loan of the microfinance institutions “Bai Tushum”, he could increase his beehives to 350.

Mr. Abdrasulovich`s small business turned out to be very successful and his honey has become famous for its high quality. Mr. Abdrasulovich`s honey is not only well known in Kyrgyzstan but also in the neighbouring countries.

„The mountain honey of Kyzyl-Unkur was already valued for its excellent taste and high quality during Soviet times. My success would not have been possible without „Bai Tushum“. Thank you, Bai Tushum”, explains Mr. Abdrasulovich.

Armenia: Mrs. Ohanyan, fruit seller

Mrs. Ohanyan became a client of the microfinance institution „FINCA Armenia“ in 2003 and invested her loan of approx. 100 Euros in a fruit stall. Previously, she only sold Armenian fruit. With the help of FINCA Armenia she began to offer foreign fruits such as quinces and pomegranates too and to import citrus fruits from neighbouring Georgia. Her business has been growing constantly and FINCA Armenia has accepted her current loan of 1.000 Euros.

With her earnings, Mr. Ohanyan and her husband bought a new kitchen and are now able to finance the schooling for their son and daughter who will start university next year. “To invest money in my children´s education is the best and most profitable investment for me,” she proudly announces.