Jura S., 58 and married, operates a business baking “lepeshka”- the national bread. The main income-earner in the family, he says this business is profitable, not being subject to seasonality. With the help of his sons, Jura arises early each day, baking the lepeshka and bread together so that people will have fresh product on their tables for breakfast. He purchases all the ingredients such as flour, salt, and yeast in the local market and now requests a loan of 2500 Somoni for the term of 9 months to increase bread production to meet demand. Specifically, the loan will be used to purchase flour and coal for baking the “lepeshka”. Jura deeply appreciates the trust and support you are giving him.

More about Tajikistan and IMON International

Tajikistan is perhaps best known for its rich history, which includes: its role as a key post along the Silk Road; the end of Alexander the Great's rule; and its famous great thinkers, philosophers, scientists and poets including Rudaki, Ibn Sina (Avicenna), Firdousi, Omar Haiyam, Jomi, Mavlavi Rumi and many others. The country is home to communities that still speak the ancient Sogdian language, epic mountain passes, and a civilization that dates back to the 4th millennium BC. Even today, it is a complex mixture of the Islamic faith, Soviet culture, New West culture and Central Asian traditions.

However, Tajikistan is also the poorest of the former Soviet republics. The civil war, which ignited soon after its independence from the U.S.S.R., further damaged the already weak economy. In addition, 93% of the country is mountainous, and only 7% of the land is arable. These conditions have resulted in high levels of unemployment, forcing hundreds of thousands to seek work in other countries, mainly Russia. While the people of Tajikistan are working to improve its agricultural production and manufacturing sector, nearly two-thirds of the population still live in abject poverty.

IMON's History

Since December 2007, IMON International has worked closely with Kiva and Kiva lenders to ensure that poor and low income clients represent a viable business proposition. Funds raised through Kiva have already been distributed to thousands of IMON International's clients and will continue to provide thousands more with permanent access to the varied financial services they need. To learn more about IMON International's work, please visit: www.imon.tj