Selina is a woman of vision. Five years ago she had a dream of turning an old, dilapidated building into a primary school. Determined to pursue her dream, she used her savings to start transforming the building into a school-house, but before she could complete the project, her capital ran out. She couldn’t afford the textbooks and furniture necessary for opening the school.
In search of capital, she looked around her area for a loan and discovered Sinapi Aba Trust (SAT), Opportunity International’s partner in Ghana. She joined one of their group lending programs, a Trust Bank called Abundant Grace.
Help at hand
With her first loan of 800,000 cedis (A$113), Selina was able to purchase cooking pots and pans (for student lunches), as well as books and other study aids. At last she opened her school doors, and since then she has never looked back.
The school now has well over 90 pupils aged four to eleven, each paying around 100,000 cedis (A$14.10) per term (there are three terms in every academic year). Selina’s current loan is for around three million cedis (A$423.80), which she used to pay the three teachers she employs until the school fees come in. She hopes to use her next loan from SAT to cover the open drains that run past the school house.
A transformed life
Selina’s wide smile is proof of her happiness. She tells others that the Trust Bank program has transformed her life, fulfilling her dreams and renewing hope for the future.
DSBN is pleased to announce our first “More than just business” initiative - sponsorship of a "Trust Bank" in West Timor by the end of 2006!
Eighty percent of the West Timor's population are considered poor and the majority live in rural areas where they are dependent on agricultural based activities for survival. The need in West Timor is great as its people continue their struggle to survive. Please contact us if you are interested in contributing.
Empowering small business owners!
