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Mathieu

“Turame both gave me access to a loan and helps me run my business,” Mathieu Karenzo says of HOPE’s partner in Burundi. Mathieu cultivates and sells beans, potatoes, cabbage, cassava, and rice from his home and from Gitega’s central market. He has just received his first loan from Turame for $81, but he has high hopes for where he can go. He wants to send two of his sons to vocational training, and he would like to save enough money to buy land and build a home for himself, his wife, and his six children. Only a few months after receiving his first loan, Mathieu says he can already contribute more to his church’s offerings and help those in need at his church.

Juduh

Juduh’s son was just four years old when her husband became ill and passed away. From that point, she alone was responsible to provide for him. In 2001, she joined a savings group in Rwanda, where she received support, a safe place to accumulate her money, and the opportunity to receive loans from her group. Today she continues to contribute 40 cents a week to her group’s savings. She accessed a loan of $86, which she used to purchase bananas and beans. She can buy a bunch of bananas or a bag of beans for $17, reselling them for a profit. She now earns $11 a week and can afford health insurance and her son’s secondary school fees. Juduh has joined a Bible study and has come to depend on the fellowship she experiences in her group.

Dignora

Dignora is a first-generation Dominican whose parents came from Haiti in search of a better life for their family.  Her own family is quite large, as she has seven children—the oldest of whom is 19—and one on the way, as well as five grandchildren. Dignora has taken out two loans to sell chicken in order to support her large family and send four of her children to school.

Oksana Puchka

Oksana Puchka sells coffee and tea from a market stand, which she has expanded using loans she took out from HOPE Ukraine. As her profits have increased, Oksana has made improvements to her family’s home and has also helped install gas in her mother-in-law’s home. In the future, Oksana hopes to open up a second trading spot to further expand her sales.

Adelaide Barutwanayo

Beginning with a loan of just $48, Adelaide Barutwanayo grew her clothing sales business in the markets of Gitega, Burundi, to a point where she could comfortably provide for her two children, ages 6 and 13. “[HOPE’s partner] Turame has helped me feed my family. Now I am sure I can build a house,” Adelaide says of her dreams for the future.

Bertin Jonas Kihoulou

When Bertin Jonas Kihoulou started his business selling bags and sandals in 1996, he had only $20 worth of merchandise. While he worked hard to improve his business, it wasn’t enough to fulfill his dreams of providing his three children with a better education and improving his family’s housing. So when he heard about HOPE Congo, Bertin decided to take out a loan, which he used to buy a greater variety of bags. Now he makes up to $50 a day and has plans to eventually sell in bulk to other shop owners. Along with the loan, Bertin appreciates HOPE Congo’s honesty and friendliness and refers many of his friends to HOPE.