Why the “It’s possible” project? While the training of microcredit group leaders continues in Burundi, Rose’s story tells us how important the community microfinance project is.
“In my group, we started 13 years ago. I well remember how I didn’t do anything in particular with the first credit I received. I bought clothes and the goods I needed but I wasted the rest. In the beginning I didn’t know how to start a business and what often happened was that I had difficulty paying back the loans I had received. Then I realised that I couldn’t keep taking out loans without a plan, so I finally decided to start a restaurant with the first 300,000 Fbu (150 €).
I started buying pots, pans and dishes and gradually opened the restaurant.
That was in 2009 and I didn’t have any workers yet. At that time, my children helped me in the kitchen and I took the bus to take the food to the city where my customers lived.
As they got to know me and the number of customers started increasing, I was able to hire workers. I am really proud that with the salary they receive I am also participating in helping them to realise their dreams.”
Rose is very proud of how much she has grown. She is happy to be able to provide a salary for 5 other families besides her own, but now she would like to improve and grow her business. For example, by renting a bigger house, where she could cook and reduce her restaurant and travel costs.
Unfortunately, this is a major investment and Rose does not have the guarantees and other requirements needed to receive a loan from a bank.
AMU and CASOBU’s project was set up for Rose and many others like her who want to develop their businesses. It supports the start-up of a community microfinance institution that can offer credit and money saving services to people with big dreams but not yet bankable.
