--2008 Write ups for reference--
Ana Tusitaiahttp://www.kiva.org/app.php?page=businesses&action=about&id=17692Ana, a wife and mother of three young children, operates a taro plantation at her residence. Taro is a popular plant of the tropics with an edible root. Ana provides her family’s sole means of income and utilized the Kiva Loan to protect her crops from the elements. Her profits enable her to feed her children and give them the opportunity of having an education.
Fatima Syed Shah Esmilhttp://www.kiva.org/app.php?page=businesses&action=about&id=5467Afghan women such as Fatima are feeling empowered these days. At only 31, she has taken her talents of 10 years as a carpet weaver and created her own business to help provide a living for her husband and three children. Carpet weaving is a popular practice in the region, and her daughter is following in her footsteps.
Elizabeth Asemtoahttp://www.kiva.org/app.php?page=businesses&action=about&id=6684Elizabeth is a hard-working 50 year-old woman with seven children. Her business specialty is the production of Agidi, which is a Nigerian food derived from corn. She has successfully used her Kiva Loan to purchase more dried maize so she can increase production and maximize profits for her family.
Kem Pharinhttp://www.kiva.org/app.php?page=businesses&action=about&id=309Kem and her husband grow water spinach, which they cart to the city for sale. With the Kiva Loan she increased the yield of her fields by installing long wooden poles. She also started to raise pigs for sale. In the future she wants to operate her own market stand with the hopes of becoming less dependent. Her business currently supports her four children and mother-in-law.
Komlan Semenouhttp://www.kiva.org/app.php?page=businesses&action=about&id=3687As a master carpenter of household furniture, Komlan possessed the ability to operate a successful workshop, but lacked the necessary funding. His Kiva Loan, which he is repaying promptly, has permitted him to purchase the necessary tools and supplies to better satisfy his customers. He has also hired two additional workers and looks forward to the opportunity that future loans will present.
Valentina Callehttp://www.kiva.org/app.php?page=businesses&action=about&id=14091Valentina, whose two children attend high school, owns a grain mill. Her husband works in Brazil’s clothing industry. With the Kiva Loan, she bought various grains in bulk to sell in the local markets of La Paz and El Alto.
Paulina Cersar Sirenahttp://www.kiva.org/app.php?page=businesses&action=about&id=14028If a smile can speak 1000 words, then these smiles can tell 1000 stories. Paulina and her family own a general store that sells a wide variety of items. She is optimistic about the results of her Kiva Loan that she has since used to acquire an array of new products, such as rice and sugar. Paulina has also completed a business training course to enhance her productivity.
Mohamed Nyongesa Masindehttp://www.kiva.org/app.php?page=businesses&action=about&id=10333Mohamed knows how to make the most of a loan. Through his bicycle business he was able to employ three workers, has brought the critical service of bicycle repair to his community, and has diligently worked to sustain his young family of siz. He continues to purchase spare parts and with the help of his Kiva Loan has increased his profits by 40%.
Ruksana Kausarhttp://www.kiva.org/app.php?page=businesses&action=about&id=14450Ruksana has lived in a small village in Punjab province’s Pakpattan district all her life. She and her husband sell dairy products at the local market. With the Kiva Loan they bought livestock feed and fodder to sell. They eventually want to diversify their range of products.
Ramon Zamora Garciahttp://www.kiva.org/app.php?page=businesses&action=about&id=8085Ramon is a husband with two school-aged children and has been working in a metal shop for over 10 years. With the Kiva Loan he improved his workplace and also bought material to fulfill orders that he received. He hopes this will further increase his orders and, thereby, his income.
Salimata Ouattarahttp://www.kiva.org/app.php?page=businesses&action=about&id=9867Salimata is a self-taught business-woman who lives with her husband and three children in a popular township in Abidjan. She started the sale of stew pans in 2004 with a $400 loan. With the Kiva Loan she plans to increase her production in order to begin sales in the neighboring countries of Burkina Faso and Mali.
Thuan Nguyen Thihttp://www.kiva.org/app.php?page=businesses&action=about&id=7922Thuan sells fruits and vegetables in a market while her husband works a plot of land as a farmer. Their combined income is $40 per month. With the Kiva Loan she diversified her commodities, bought seeds for the farm, and was able to continue sending her two children to school.
Margaret Nalungahttp://www.kiva.org/app.php?page=businesses&action=about&id=16806Margaret, a widow with four children, has been inventive to support her family. She has worked as a food vendor, a gardener, and a brick maker. At the time of the Kiva Loan she worked at the veterinary market of Kampala, employing two people. With the loan she bought a hinge making machine, which will enable her to increase her earnings.
