The five women pictured in the photograph are from Satufia Satupaitea of the island of Savaii. They are all borrowing from SPBD for the first time after undergoing four weeks of training in business management and maintenance of a savings account, and then passing a written test on the SPBD principles: business, savings, weekly meetings, payments and group guarantee. Over the next 52 weeks, they will support each other in their individual business development and in making repayments on time.

Epenesa T., 59, is a widow and has 8 children. She has over three years of experience in baking pork cakes. She now sells them 6 days a week. With her loan, Epenesa will purchase a new oven, flour, yeast, and other ingredients and utensils. She expects that her weekly net cash flow will total 280 Tala (~US$112).

Fanolua L., 40, is married and has three children. She grows taro and bananas, staples of the Samoan diet. She is requesting a loan to purchase a weed killer, a bush knife, pesticides, and other equipment for farming.

Keni T., 51, is married and has six children. She produces ice cakes (ice cream), and currently needs two bags of sugar, 500 plastic cups, a cooler and other supplies to start her own ice cream business. The good taste, clean environment, high quality and pure water set Keni apart from her competitors.

Patisepa I., 46, is married and has six children. She has been selling taro and yams for over three years. Patisepa currently needs to buy a weed killer, pesticides, a bush knife, a knife filing (sharpener) as well as hire workers.

Sofia Mao F., 47, is married and has three children. She produces fine mates, hats, Samoan bags and other handicrafts. She is requesting a loan to purchase a weed killer, pesticides, a knife, and to hire workers. She plans to sell her handicrafts in the village five days a week.