Case Story 3

Forty-five year old Asma resides in the Niamatpur Chamrer Gudam Camp and is the mother of five children. Asma with her family lives in a tin roof house fenced with bamboo. This middle-aged housewife enrolled as a group member of the microfinance project in July 2007. Her family has access to tube well water, a community bathroom and also to a drainage facility.

Asma received her first loan of $68 in August 2007 in order to trade in polythene. She took her second loan of $110, a year later to continue the same trade. Success in her business and regular loan payments led to a third loan of a higher amount of $164 the following year. She also started trading in chili and spices. Active participation in the group meetings and discussions established her as a credible member of the microfinance project group.

Asma’s business took off well and she started earning steady profits. With her improved socio-economic status, she also gained a greater sense of self-respect and hope for a better future.