Ms. Kadidia B. is 30-something years old, married, and the mother of two little girls. She lives with her husband and their children in Sanoubougou I-Kapel Kourou, an outlying district of Sikasso City (3rd administrative region of the Republic of Mali). After having run many business unsuccessfully, Kadidia became familiar with buying and selling cooking oil, Arab couscous, Maggie bouillon cubes, and many other types of goods. She has been in this business for over six years and runs it out of her house and at the market in her district, where she has a spot at her disposal. She is in high demand by her customers for the quality of her products.
To satisfy her burgeoning customer base, Kadidia decided to join again the micro-finance institution Soro Yiriwaso over two years ago. She is currently on her fourth loan. The previous ones have all been repaid.
She intends to use her loan to buy: 7 containers of cooking oil, 5 boxes of Arab couscous, 10 boxes of Maggie bouillon cubes, 3 boxes of Arawane tea, and a supply of condiments. She buys her merchandise by special order in Bobo Dioulasso (Republic of Burkina Faso) and also from local oil mills, and then she sells them retail at the market in their town.
With this loan, Kadidia envision making a monthly profit of 100,000 francs CFA that will be used essentially for helping with family expenses and paying the loan interest. The rest will be used for investing in her business.
Translated from French by Kiva volunteer Daniel Kuey. View original language description.