BRAC Success Story
Mariama Jalloh
Ms. Mariama Jalloh, a member of an SEDF-supported BRAC microfinance group in Goderich, Sierra Leone, helps support her mother, two sisters and two brothers. When BRAC first approached her asking for information regarding her standard of living, Ms. Jalloh did not understand what the organization did. But the staff convinced her to attend weekly group meetings where they explained their purpose, rules, regulations and microfinance services.
Eventually Ms. Jalloh became a group leader, and in August 2009, received her first loan from BRAC. Before this, her business consisted only of selling cosmetics from a small bowl, but after receiving a loan of Leones 600,000 and combining it with her savings of Leones 750,000, she was able to open a small medicine shop. In order to pay back the loan, she submitted weekly installments of Leones 18,750. She was pleased with the plan as she was able to pay every week while still maintaining a flourishing business. Her first loan is paid in full, and she is now waiting for another.
Ms. Jalloh expressed her gratitude to the organization saying, “I want to thank BRAC for making it possible for me to improve my business. I can take care of my needs, and my brothers are now going to school. BRAC has done a wonderful thing for me, I really appreciate them, and I pray that God will bless them.”