Arche De Noé Plus Group

Joséphine got into the world of micro-enterprise at the age of 13 in 1985. Taught by her mother, she acquired a solid experience in selling fresh fish in Mbandaka in the province of Equateur in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. In 1994, her business had allowed her to accumulate US$ 300 which let her buy a big basket of smoked fish that she sold in Kinshasa.

From 1994 to 2000, thanks to her accumulated profit, she diversified her business by adding the sale of mosquito nets, which were very necessary for people in her area to combat malaria. From 2001 to the present, Joséphine took up the sale of fish, which she is better at. Difficulties in her household in 2006 led to a divorce from her husband and caused a drop in her business.

Joséphine is very much encouraged by the loans she receives from Hope RDC. The loan she has obtained in the month of June allowed her to buy 2 baskets of smoked fish which she is selling in view of increasing the income from her business which generates US$ 30 in profit per week.

Her ambition is to open a little shop and a maize and manioc depot. She has 6 children aged 3-21 of whom only 3 are enrolled in school. Joséphine feels good about her business since she is the breadwinner for her family.

Translated from French by Teresa Kramer, Kiva Volunteer

Joséphine est entrée dans le monde de micro-entreprise à l’âge de 13 ans en 1985. Initiée par sa mère, elle a acquit une solide expérience dans la vente des poissons frais à Mbandaka dans la province de l’Equateur en République Démocratique du Congo. En 1994, son activité a produit un montant de $300 qui lui ont permis de s’acheter un gros panier des poissons fumés qu’elle a revendu à Kinshasa. De 1994 – 2000, grâce aux bénéfices accumulés, elle a diversifié son affaire en y ajoutant des moustiquaires dont les gens avaient grandement besoin dans son milieu pour combattre la malaria. De 2001 à ce jour, Joséphine a reprit la vente des poissons qu’elle maitrise mieux. Des difficultés rencontrées dans son foyer en 2006 qui ont abouti au divorce avec son mari ont causé la baisse de son affaire. Joséphine est très encouragée par les crédits qu’elle reçoit de Hope RDC. Le prêt obtenu au mois de juin courant lui a servi d’acheter 2 paniers des poissons fumés qu’elle revend dans le but d’accroitre le revenu de son activité qui lui génère $30 de bénéfice par semaine. Son ambition est d’ouvrir une boutique ainsi qu’un dépôt du maїs et du manioc. Elle a 6 enfants âgés de 3 à 21 ans dont trois seulement vont à l’école. Joséphine aime son affaire car elle supporte financièrement son foyer.


About Group Loans
In a group loan, each member of the group receives an individual loan but is part of a group of individuals bound by a group guarantee. Under this arrangement, each member of the group supports one another and is responsible for paying back the loans of their fellow group members if someone is delinquent or defaults. Learn more

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