Mutual assistance has been one of the most effective ways to struggle against poverty all over the world. Probably the main problem that causes most of the uprisings and revolts in Third World countries is the expanding rupture between the rich and the poor. So, what the microfinance organizations have been doing has greatly relieved the situation, as it has given tens of millions of people an opportunity to start their business and improve their standard of living. An amount of money that may seem nothing to a rich businessman, who spends this sum every day having lunch in a restaurant, is to another person vital initial capital, with which he or she could start a new life. And that’s what makes this life interesting!

Erkebubu is the leader of this loan group. She is 49 and the mother of two children. She is raising her children on her own as she has been divorced for the last few years. To provide for her little family, Erkebubu produces national milk soft drinks – “bozo” and “maksym” (see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kyrgyz_cuisine for more information). This seemingly small business has allowed her to make repairs in her apartment. Now her monthly income has reached $420. Erkebubu needs a loan to increase the amount of drinks she sells. She hopes to save money to buy strawberry seedlings.

Erkebubu’s partners are:

Gulmira, 38, is divorced. She has two children and needs a loan for personal use. She is planning to purchase furniture.

Erkingul, 34, is a mother of two children. Her husband provides welding services. Erkingul is engaged in network marketing and sells perfumes, cosmetics and detergents. She is requesting a loan to purchase goods and also buy a TV set with plasma screen.

Chinara is the youngest member of this group at 25 years old. She works as a saleswoman selling bed clothing and dishes. She decided to apply for a loan after her sister advised her to purchase more goods to attract more customers. Chinara’s current monthly income is $185.

Where did this loan come from?

This loan is brought to you by Mol Bulak Finance, a young and ambitious socially-focused MFI in Kyrgyzstan. Mol Bulak Finance is strongly committed to the principles of sustainable development on the basis of the 3-Ps concept: People (building human capital and taking care of its customers and society as well), Profit (to be profitable in order to grow further), and the Planet (taking care of the environment). It is also the only MFI in Kyrgyzstan that delivers its services to customers 365 days a year. To learn more about Mol Bulak and view a video presentation about the organization, please visit: www.kiva.org/about/aboutPartner?id=135.

If you would like to support and learn more about Kyrgyzstan and microfinance in Central Asia, please join our Lending Team – Supporters of Kyrgyzstan – at www.kiva.org/team/kyrgyzstan. Members will get special updates and news from the Kiva Fellows in Kyrgyzstan and from Mol Bulak staff.