‘I learned to make few into plenty’: Neriman's story

Neriman lives in an historic area of Turkey where agriculture is a primary source of income for many. Before she bought her first cow, she and her husband struggled financially.

“We are a big family,” says Neriman. “My spouse was trying to make ends meet on his own. I wanted to support him.”

She first heard about microloans in her community from a friend. She figured she would apply even though she had previously dismissed the idea that she could qualify for a loan without any capital to her name—a common situation for women in rural Turkey. She was surprised to be approved for the loan and set out to purchase livestock with the funding she received.

As the milk from one cow fed the children, Neriman sold the excess and diligently saved the proceeds. Soon, one cow became several, the small herd kept in a tidy area off of the main house. The milk they produce is turned into more cheese and yogurt sold at the market, allowing Neriman and her husband to pay for school tuition, care for sick family members, and fund their son’s wedding.

“I learned to make few into plenty,” says Neriman.

With Kiva you can lend as little as $25 and make a big change in someone's life.

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[desireegarcia]

I love Kiva but I don't understand why they make loans to wealthy countries like the US or human rights violators like isrial.