Micro-Finance Success Stories

Name:Bahara Sakhidad Age: 30

Husband’s Name: Husain Ali Province: Kabul

Sons: 3

It has been more than 30 years that there has been war in Afghanistan. There have been different reasons for the causes of these wars. One side of it is the interference of neighboring countries and on the other side of it is the political policies of the national community and of our own leaders. During these ruinous wars many of our women became widows and many of our children became orphans when they lost their fathers. Among these orphaned children, is Bahara.

She was only 3 years old when she lost her father. Because of their unfortunate economic condition, her mom had to work in a neighbor's house. Bahara was only 8 years old when her mom married her to a man who was 22 years older than her. Bahara went to her husband’s house and after some years she grew older and during that time she gradually felt the difficulties and hardships of life. And day by day she experienced the problems of life.

Her husband was using drugs for years and he was getting older. Bahara wasn’t initially aware that her husband used drugs but once she learned of it Bahara suffered greatly. On one side of it she was hurting for her husband who was unemployed and from the other side of it she didn’t know how to find an income for her small children. She was very worried about her children's lives. She was always painful for her. She was living her life with lots of difficulties. Finally, her husband sent her 12 year-old son to work and find money. Her son was eating only once per day.

When he was found money he came home to make his mom happy but before telling his mom his father was taking the money from him to buy drugs from the neighbors. Then the boy who was crying, went to his mom and asked why his father was doing this to him. Why was his father beating them? She felt very hopeless and she didn’t know what to do. Then the AWC survey team went to their area and she registered her name for the loan program. By receiving the first loan, she bought knitting materials and started to knit clothes. Her income was about 150af. She was charging 150af for each children’s clothing. From her income she was able to pay the house expenses and the children’s expenses for their school. She sent her children back to school. Many changes came to her life by receiving the loan. She was covering all of her household needs, such as curtains, a TV, kitchen equipment, food items and clothes for her children.

Besides that she paid the weekly installment of the loan. Now she has saved her life from adversity. When she received the second loan she bought more materials and improved her products and received a good income. She hopes that AWC will increase the loan program so she can start another business because she is confident that she can handle any business.

1. Are you under the violence of your husband and family?

Yes, I was under the violence of my husband because he was a drug addict. He was not caring for us. He didn’t bring home food items. He put all of our problems on my small 12 years old son. He was oppressing on me a lot. Now I stand on my own feed and I don’t need his help. I can work myself and cover the expenses.

2. In which skills are you interested?

I am interested in sewing blankets, bead knitting and tailoring, but my own business is knitting clothes that I can earn a good income from.

3. Which loan have you received?

First and second.

4. What kind of work are you providing from the loan?

With the loan I bought knitting materials and I am knitting clothes. I then send it to sell at Mazar e Sharif. It has a good market there and I can earn a good income.

5. Income

Daily 100 af, weekly 700 af.

6. What changes in your life have you experienced after receiving the loan?

I have seen many changes after receiving the loan. At first I was very needy and I had no household materials. My children didn’t go to school because I had no money to buy what they needed for school. Now I am able to buy them what they need. Now I can buy household materials such as carpet, food items, curtains, etc. Now I have saved my life from adversities.

7. What request do you have from Afghanistan Women Council?

I hope that AWC increases the loan program and provides more loans so that I can start another business. I am sure that I can handle any business.

return to women's list of loan recipients