Mariama Barrie

Thank you for your loan. It has been disbursed to Mariama Barrie by CCF - Salone Microfinance Trust in Sierra Leone. We are excited to watch this business grow. Over the next 12 months, CCF - Salone Microfinance Trust will be collecting repayments from this entrepreneur and posting progress updates on the Kiva website.

We recently visited Mariama at her store in Fadugu to get an update on her business and the status of the loan. The most recent loan has helped her make great improvements both in her business and personal life. During our visit, I showed Mariama your Kiva profile pictures that I had printed out. She wished to thank you and asked for continued assistance through micro loans.

From the information received during my interview with Mariama and data obtained from SMT’s files, I have conducted two types of impact analyses for you to consider as a Kiva Lender to Mariama. First, a fundamental analysis of her business called a “SWOT” analysis. Second, for repeat borrowers, a financial analysis that illustrates the impact SMT and Kiva loans have made to Mariama’s personal financial situation.

“SWOT” Analysis (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats)

Strengths

Market dominance – Mariama owns the only medicine supply shop in the village of Fadugu. Her best selling products are children’s cough syrup and pain relievers.

Weaknesses

Seasonal changes – the transitional period between the rain and dry season in Sierra Leone is known as the Hamattan winds. The Hamattan winds cause Mariama’s business to slow as people are staying inside or under cover most of the day until the winds pass. The length of the winds varies every year.

Opportunities

Expansion – Mariama hopes to expand her business to offset the slow Hamattan wind period. She feels that diversifying into selling locally grown produce may help boost sales during the slow period for medicines.

Threats

The only threat Mariama could vision for her business is a long Hamattan wind period. The longer they last, the longer her sales are slower.

Financial Impact from Loans Received

The chart illustrates the movement of Mariama’s monthly net income over the course of the loan activity with SMT. The net income is the amount the client is able to take home to help their family each month. You can see how SMT loans have helped her expand her business. We hope to see additional income generated over the next loan cycles.

Source: SMT MIS files. Currency conversion at time of analysis = 3000 Leones per $1 USD.

Hello Mariama lenders.

Here's a new photo of Mariama taken at her pharmacy in Fadugu during our recent visit.

I hope you enjoyed your loan update.

Regards,

Adam Grenier

Kiva Fellow, Fall 2008

Sierra Leone