Gilda M. was born in the district of Manhiça, in the province of Maputo in the south of Mozambique. She is 38 years old, married, and is the mother of a 5-year-old son who does not yet attend school. Gilda studied through 10th grade and later completed a degree in teaching. She lives in her own home with her family, and she helps to support her mother by sending her money for her household expenses.

She left Manhiça for Boane because she was transferred at work. She has been a teacher, working for the Ministry of Education, for 8 years. She completed her studies in Education 8 years ago at the Instituto de Magistério Primário [Institute for Primary Education] in Chibututuine and now works around 8 hours a day. She doesn't employ anyone else to help her and she earns approximately 7872.00 Meticales each month. She uses this money to pay for household expenses and also saves some money each month in her bank account.

Gilda has never taken out a loan with another bank. She found out about Hluvuku [the Kiva Field Partner] through a friend who also works with the institution. This is her 1st loan, for the amount of 20,000.00 Meticales. She plans to use this money to buy construction materials (cement, nails, zinc plates and other items) in order to finish her construction project.

She promises to repay the loan as indicated in order to be eligible for other loans later. In the future she would like to apply for more loans to finish her house and then furnish it.