On 4th June, I went to see how Thérèse’s business is progressing. Unfortunately, she was not there as she had gone to the market, but I met her husband, Judis Anaclet (pictured), who runs the business with her as a joint venture. Thérèse has now taken out 7 loans from ACFB; they started off borrowing small amounts so now they are able to take out bigger loans. They sell a variety of produce, but now they also sell charcoal and firewood, which they store behind the house in the yard. Judis Anaclet said that the loans help them in particular with the purchase of seasonal produce, such as maize, gari and oil. Their profits have enabled them to build the buildings behind the shop, where they keep their produce and have expanded their shop itself.
Emma Howard, 4th June 2012