We visited Bernadette Agbalagba at her home in the village of Helvie in the district of Calavi, some 40 kilometres north of the capital city of Cotonou. She recently received another loan, her tenth overall, from lendwithcare’s microfinance partner in Benin ACFB. We were greeted with a traditional dance and song welcoming us. She informed us that she used the loan to buy jewellery such as earrings, bracelets, ladies hand watches, and necklaces from the city of Lagos in Nigeria. Bernadette also sells shampoos and various face creams for women as well. She has not had any problems meeting the first few repayments and she considers the purchases she made in Nigeria a good investment. It takes her around five hours to reach Lagos and she always returns on the same day. She hires a motorcycle. Her village is in fact quite isolated and we reached it with some difficulty, as the roads were rutted and muddy because it is the rainy season. Bernadette sells at three different local markets, Pahou, Cococodji, and Togba during the week, except on Sundays when she rests at home. She also from time to time visits wealthy clients at their homes with her products. Her eldest daughter tends to look after the younger children when she is working and they all attend school. Although there are several other businesses that sell jewellery in the market she is only one in her own and neighbouring villages to do so. Her hope is to one day open a jewellery shop in the market. Her husband also works, repairing tyres in a garage
Ajaz Ahmed Khan, 6th June 2012