Cin Mang Trishaw Success!

Cin Mang was one of the first people to receive a loan with ZMF. He works as a trishaw driver, transporting people and goods around his town. Before receiving a loan, Cin Mang rented the trishaw he used for his work, limiting the income he could earn. In September 2008 he received a loan of 150,000 kyat (NZ $180) which he put towards buying his own second-hand trishaw. Now he has repaid his loan in full, he is able to earn more money from his work with which he can support his family.

Cing Dei Lian Clothing Stall

Cing Dei Lian is 25 years old and lives in Kalaymyo where she sells clothes at the local markets. She received a loan of NZ$180 from the ZMF bank to help expand her clothing business. Each week she pays back $3 at the local community meetings, where she is able to exchange business ideas with the other clients in her group.

Liang Ki's Tea Shop

Liang Ki’s eldest son died of malaria, leaving behind three children who she now cares for along with several others of her own. She received a loan from the ADC community bank which she used to buy items she needed to set up her own tea shop. She now earns around 1500-2000 kyat per day from this business. She is grateful for the access to a microfinance loan and the policy of group lending. During the rainy season, Liang Ki became very sick and was unable to work for a week. Her group covered her repayments during this time. She is hoping to get another loan which she will use to upgrade her tea shop with a new roof and better cups and plates.

Na Kang's Fried Food Stall

Na Kang runs a small business selling fried foods at the market place to support her family. Before taking out a loan with the ADC community bank, she borrowed money to buy supplies such as oil, firewood and rice from another lender. The interest charged on this loan was 60%, leaving Na Kang with only 800 kyat (around NZ$0.80) of her daily earnings once loan repayments were made. Now she takes home around 1200 to 1500 kyat each day from her frying business, and is able to supplement the small income her husband receives as a pensioner in providing for their two children. Na Kang is happy to have savings at the bank, and would like to take out another loan once she has repaid this one.

“It is a real inspiration that the project is a success, as the clients are interested and enthusiastic in their business and also in their repayments. Now we, the local managers, are very busy following up and working with all the clients”

Yuan Li, Local Manager

“It is a joy here that our hope of the project is being realized, when the clients begin their projects. On the day we distributed the first loans to eight clients, all were happy for receiving loans. Together we ate bread and had tea which is a very rare occasion for us to do so.”

Kris Lee, Technical Advisor

“The project is moving financial resource to those who need it most. Jobs are being created, and the poor are given the opportunity to improve their income. An opportunity they both need and deserve.”

Geoff, co-founder ADC