Microfinance in Bangladesh

 Kulson

Kulson Begum is 37 years old and lives in Nilphamari.  In 2005 she took an interest free loan as part of Muslim Aid’s Microfinance programme which she was given in five different installments. She started her nursery project with her husband which has grown steadily during the past few years. Her business is to cultivate and care for saplings which she grows and sells at a profitable price. She began selling trees, fose flower trees, sun flower trees, fruit trees and medicinal trees. Now she sells over 6,000 saplings which means her monthly income is around TK 12,000-15,000.

With the profits of her business, she has installed one sanitary latrine and a tube well for pure drinking water. She has constructed a tin house and bought plants for her family members. The credit has allowed her to earn ten times more than she usually would meaning her standard of living has increased and she can now purchase more household goods such as a TV, bicycle and mobile phone. Kulson also pays for the educational needs of her children. Her eldest son is studies in class 8, while Anwar her second son studies in class 4, her third son Arif in class 1 and her daughter Sumi Study in class 2

Kulson is very appreciative of her husband Motiar who helps her with the business. The income from her business venture has enabled her family to enjoy a higher standard of living.

Her husband Motiar says, “Now we get more money to expand our business and we create more employment for poor people of the community. Kulson has become self reliant.”

Kulson Says, “Now I am not helpless, I am  grateful for the help of Muslim Aid".