FINCA Impact Finance

Impact Story

Starting a shop with children's futures in mind

Hayat Abdul Karim Majid is from western Sudan. In 2009, she fled her family home in search of safety from the long-running War in Darfur. Hayat, her husband, and their children moved repeatedly in the ensuing years. In 2016, they arrived at the Kiryandongo refugee settlement.

In Kiryandongo, refugees like Hayat received land, shelter, and support from the government of Uganda and international aid agencies. It was an amazing opportunity, one that Hayat would not let slip away. Life in Kiryandongo was better than it had been. Hayat dreamed, however, of earning money so that her children – two boys and two girls ranging in age from five to thirteen – could have the life and education denied to her. To realize this dream, she and her husband built a small shop on the land the government gave them.

The store sells basic grocery items like milk, crackers, soap, and juice. Hayat also carries specialty items from Sudan that can remind her and her neighbors of days before the war. But her best-selling item is the perfume Hayat makes and mixes herself. Hayat is proud to be the only purveyor of perfume in the settlement.

The loans Hayat has received from FINCA have allowed her to make additional investments in the store. She bought more stock and is increasing her turn-over and her profits. She also has been able to open a small restaurant that employs three people and most recently opened a business selling charcoal.

As Hayat has repeatedly told her loan officer, “I work all this work and I took the loan because of my children. I need my children to be happy. I need my children to learn in very good schools. I need my children to be doctors and that’s why I took the loan from FINCA and I work hard like that.”

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Impact Story

Growing a farming business

Croix des Bouquets, Haiti: August Jean Soliny is a farmer and single father to four children. After the disastrous earthquake in Haiti in 2010, the water in his community became contaminated. The contamination affected his crops and August found it difficult to get fresh, clean water for his land. He lost all the money he invested in his vegetables and fruits.

Using an agricultural loan he secured through FINCA Impact Finance’s subsidiary in Haiti, August was able to plant okra, corn, and tomato seeds on his farm. With subsequent loans, August purchased more seeds in bulk to plant.

Today, August has an abundance of vegetables and fruit to sell. He also has the help of six workers, who help him harvest the produce, which he sells to merchants. With the profits from his farm, August was able to save enough money to purchase horses, donkeys, chickens and cows to rear and sell for additional income. His farming proceeds also help to support his mother, brothers, and four children who attend school.