A loan helped to buys raw materials for her business.


Gyan Devi's story

This is 29-year-old Gyan Devi M.. She is married and has three children, aged 12, 5 and 3. In 2000, she established her business of making brass religious statues. Working seven days a week and eight hours a day, she supports her family.

She has already received and successfully repaid five loans from Patan BPW and used her most recent to buy raw materials for her business.

In the future, Gyan Devi plans to uplift the economic condition of her family. She thanks you for your support.

Nepal has a long and rich history of traditional handicrafts. Throughout the Kathmandu Valley, skilled artisans produce unique pieces of art that reflect Nepal's cultural diversity. Terracotta pottery comes from the red clay of the surrounding Himalayan foothills. Bronze and silver statuettes are formed using wax molds and intricate hand tool finishing.

In Patan, Newari culture and traditions are reflected in the images and symbols etched into metal or formed in stone. With the help of a Kiva loan, Nepal's artisans are able to purchase raw materials in greater volume. This increase in volume allows a single artisan to work on several pieces at the same time while increasing her profit margin.

This loan was administered by Kiva's local partner MFI (microfinance institution), Patan Business and Professional Women. Patan BPW became Kiva's first field partner in Nepal in 2007. Patan BPW operates throughout the Kathmandu Valley, offering microcredit and business-training programs to low-income women.

In addition to providing economic opportunity to their clients, Patan BPW seeks to empower Nepali women within the home and community. For more information about Patan BPW, visit our partner page and keep an eye out for new loans and borrower updates.

BPW Partner Page: http://www.kiva.org/partners/62

Join our lending team: http://www.kiva.org/team/bpw_patan_nepal



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