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My Dream Business

Date: 20 Sep 2021

Uwajeneza Brigitte from Rwanda was working with very low wages which was not sufficient enough to meet her family expenses. In 2016, she decided to save some money and start her own business, selling soft drinks in a small depot. Her initial capital was Rwf 500,000 (USD 523) while her monthly profit was Rwf 100,000 (USD 104) which was not enough to meet the customers’ demands in her area. Since she was the only supplier in her rural trading centre, she thought of increasing her capital for her business but she could not receive any loans from the commercial banks since she was not eligible for it.

Brigitte came to know of BRAC Microfinance programme in Muhanga district through one of the field staff. She joined the programme promptly and received Rwf 250,000 (USD 262) for a duration of 6 months. She invested the loan in a soft-drink venture, and this allowed her to expand her business. The loan aided her to increase her monthly profit from Rwf 100,000 (USD 104) to Rwf 140,000 (USD 146) per month.

Through increased sales and income, she paid her loan successfully without any hardships.

“BRAC Rwanda Microfinance has helped and inspired me to expand my business for a better living,” she says. “My business is growing day by day and I have more customers now.”

Moving forward, Brigitte is planning to apply for another loan of Rwf 350,000 (USD 366) to boost her business. She is thankful to BRAC Rwanda Microfinance and hopes to make her dreams come true through the help of BRAC in the future.