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One of the hardest things small business owners find to do is to step back sometimes. See the bigger picture. Shift focus. Think about something or someone else for a while...
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DSBN is pleased to support Opportunity International Australia, an organisation dedicated to supporting start-ups and micro-businesses in under developed countries.
Their mission is to build a community of passionate supporters partnering to solve poverty and empower lives through micro-enterprise development and training. The Opportunity strategy is to create jobs, stimulate business and strengthen communities among the poor.
The average loan to start a small business in these communities is just $120 – and every small business impacts up to 15 people so the DSBN sponsorship results in 12 new businesses each year impacting on over 180 people.
In addition, DSBN is pleased to announce our first “More than just business” initiative - sponsorship of a "Trust Bank" in West Timor! 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.
In the meantime, take a moment and read the following stories. They will inspire you. Or at least make you smile.
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Mariana's Story
Mariana Boimau has three children and her husband, Thomas, works as a carpenter, filling orders to generate a small income of about Rp.300,000 to Rp.400,000 (A$42.85-$57.15) a month. Their poor economic situation prompted Mariana to start a business selling bakso (a soup made with noodles and meatballs) from a pushcart. more |
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May's Story (Philippines)
May Fores (43) and her husband Celso (44) have worked hard to be where they are today. With two children of their own, May and Celso also adopted four children from their relatives. more |
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Maharasi (India)
Maharasi lives with her husband and three young children, in Dooming Kuppam, a slum near the seashore in the south of India. more |
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Corazon Desoy (Philippines)
When Corazon Desoy married her husband Rolando at the age of 15, she knew things would be difficult for them. As elementary graduates, they both lacked the education which would find them steady work. more |
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Rogelio Gerilla (Philippines)
This TSKI Trust Bank leader has a remarkable story of how microfinance has increased his monthly income by 600%. Not only that, but it has also enabled him to do what he enjoys most – training and empowering others. more |
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Salbiah and Ratina (Banda Aceh)
Salbiah and Ratina are two sisters who have turned their life around after losing everything in the Boxing Day tsunami. The sisters were away from Banda Aceh when the tsunami struck and had to wait two weeks before they could return home and search for their family. more |
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Selina (Ghana)
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. more |
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Betriana Lilly (West Timor)
Before she heard about TLM, Opportunity International’s partner in West Timor, Betriana Lilly was struggling to make ends meet. With three small children to provide for, she didn’t always know where the next meal would come from. more
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J. Valarmathi (India)
Valarmathi was at the crossroads of life when her husband died suddenly. With three sons and a daughter to support, she knew she had to start a business on her own, as working for daily wages would not be sufficient to provide for her family. more |
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Tertuliana Rensini (West Timor)
Her neighbours call her "Ana", orphanaged at the age of 16 and an only child. Ana is married to Agustinus and they have six children. Two of the children are married and Ana supports the other four. Ana joined the "Trust Bank" program because she wanted to help her husband support their family. more |
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Yapa Ya
Every mother worries about their children: what they are eating, if they are healthy, where they will go to school, if they are happy and what the future holds.
With seven children and a small income, Yapa Ya had plenty to worry about. more |
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Palmira Maria
Palmira Maria's radiant smile lights up her face when she is asked about her business. In the rows of stalls lining a dusty alley at the Comoro market in Dili, hers stands out among those selling food and clothing. more |
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Zakaria
Among the first clients to receive a loan in Banda Aceh is Zakaria, a brick maker who was fortunate enough to be away from home visiting relatives with his wife and children when the tsunami struck Aceh on the Boxing Day 2004. more |
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Nalayini
Thirty seven year old Nalayini was born and brought up on the coast of Chennai. She comes from a poor fishermen’s family. Her husband is a fisherman and she sells the fish at local markets. This is the only income for the family. more |
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Roberto
“When Rosalina came home and told me we had a loan to buy a new fishing net, I hugged her and my boys. I could now provide for my family again.” Two years ago, Roberto 31, had a viable fishing business. He owned a traditional fishing boat and a net, which provided enough income for Roberto and his family. more |
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