English - Freedom from Hunger

FouR FaCes oF MICRoFInanCe IMPaCT
diet of rice, akassa, cassava, beans and cornmeal. Her diet has remained unchanged
throughout her life and is no different than that of her mother.
She voices significant concern over the well-being of her family, particularly her
worries of eventual sickness. While she says that she is generally very healthy, she
explains that poverty can cause illness and she does everything she can to help her
family avoid falling sick despite their financial difficulties. “If my family were to fall sick,”
she explains, “I would never again find joy.”
Her mother had an enormous influence on her life, and she explains that in financial
decision-making and community influence, she and her mother are no different. Julie
still prefers traditional healing methods she learned from her mother to hospital care
as well. But, when asked how her decisions compared to her mother’s with business
money, she answered, “I have to make the most of my capital to be able to get
something out of it instead of using it to have fun,” hinting that her mother had little
idea of how to invest and manage. This is one of the reasons she uses to explain the
improving conditions for women in her community—thanks to the available loans
and possibilities they did not previously have.
Julie joined the village bank with the hope that things would change quickly, and was
disappointed to find that “the loans are too small and the time given to pay them
back is too short.” Large changes have yet to happen and she feels that she isn’t
saving more money now than she was before. She still hopes to see an upswing in
her business and is appreciative of the education sessions in which she has been able
to participate. She said that she would recommend the program to others and is
still looking to improve her own finances.
Julie sees improvement for her generation of women compared to her mother’s generation, and she
attributes that to access to loans and new possibilities. But Julie does not think life has improved yet
for herself and her family. Unlike Maya Luisa, Julie is hopeful that her access to financial services and
education eventually will allow her to reap benefits for her and her family.
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