Dondov Demberel

Dondov Demberel is 59 years old and married. She lives with her husband in Uvurhangay, one of Mongolia's central provinces located 400 kilometers from the capital city. All her children are grown and live separately with their own families. In 1998, she started running a cosmetic sales business at the local market. She rents two stalls and hires a saleswoman. Once or twice she goes to Ulaanbaatar, the capital city, to purchase cosmetic items at a wholesale prices. Most of her customers are local girls and women.

She has invested her profits in her children's life. Dondov says, "My husband and I have been running our small business although we have already retired. Staying at home doing nothing is hard for us. If we work everyday, then we feel healthy and good. With the profit I'm saving small amounts to purchase second-hand car for one of my children." With this loan, she will buy more cosmetic items from the capital city to increase her business inventory.