A Woman Entrepreneur from Dry Zone: Case #1

Daw Khin Mar Wai had a small house-cum shop that sells some grocery and snacks before she joined the microfinance project. Her husband is a photographer and has a workshop that repairs batteries. They used to live in a small dwelling within her parent's compound. After their second son was born they realized that it would be better to have a house of their own as their family grew bigger. They knew that they had to work hard but would need a capital injection to boost their income.

When Pact's microfinance project reached the Nat Kan village, Daw Khin Mar Wai immediately joined and become a member of "Daw Na" Credit and Savings Group. Daw Na is the name of a flower that gives a sweet fragrance.

Daw Khin Mar Wai received her first loan in the amount of 10000 Kyats (US$22.00) on 14th December 1999 and bought two small piglets worth of 7000 Kyats and invested the remaining amount in her shop. After ten months she sold the pigs for 30000 Kyats and made a profit of 20000 Kyats. In December 2000 she received a second loan in the amount of 20000 Kyats that she also invested in pig raising. After eight months the three pigs she bought with the second loan gave 54000 Kyats gross that made a cash profit of 30000 Kyats and three piglets.

With the profit made from pig raising and income from her shop and her husband's photographic business they performed a libation ceremony in when they their sons were inducted as novices under Buddhist order. There was great joy, as the ceremony is the highest religious ceremony in Buddhist religion.

In September 2001 Daw Khin Mar Wai applied for the small enterprise development loan and received 80000 Kyats. She invested the full amount in her house-cum shop. She expanded her inventory by selling not only household goods but also some cosmetics and other items. In December 2001 she received third loan in the amount of 40000 Kyats that she invested in the pig raising business. She bought three new pigs and pig feed. She now has a total of four pigs, including one from the pigs purchased with the second loan.

With this growing asset, the family bought a plot of land in May 2002 for 100000 Kyats on which they hope to build their home, hopefully starting September-October this year.

From the three cycles of regular loan she made over 110000 Kyats in pig raising and another 100000 Kyats from her shop. Daw Khin Mar Wai is now owns four pigs worth about 60000 Kyats and a plot of land worth100000 Kyats. The inventory for her shop has expanded it with more choices in items offered. The shop is now worth 200,000 Kyats. Daw Khin Mar Wai can now afford to make her dream come true, which is meeting the expenses related to the Buddhist education of her two sons.