Fatmata Jabi

Thank you for your loan. It has been disbursed to Fatmata Jabi 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 Fatmata at her home in the village of Fadugu in the Koinadugu district of Sierra Leone. Fatmata was eager to talk to us about her business and the impact the loan has had on her life. After showing her pictures of you, her Kiva lenders, Fatmata wanted to give pass along her appreciation and gratefulness for your generosity. Her final message was clear, “thank you and please continue supporting us.”

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

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

Strengths

Diversified product offering – Fatmata offers a broad arrange of products. She sells palm oil (the most popular, and most abundant, cooking oil in Sierra Leone), rice and millet. With this most recent loan, she has also moved into the fish business. By diversifying her business, she is able to still provide for her family if one product has a shortage or is spoiled.

Market days – Fatmata participates in the two busiest market days in Fadugu and nearby Kamasiki village. Fatmata is able to sell most of her goods in these two days enabling her to spend the other days collecting more goods to sell.

Weaknesses

Rainy season – Fatmata recognizes that she needs to expand her business further to include products that are not affected by the coming of the rain season. During the rain season, Fatmata’s sales usually drop. She needs to find products and services to deploy during this season to continue to generate income.

Opportunities

Sheep rearing – If you recall, Fatmata was hoping she could purchase and raise sheep using profits generated by her Kiva loan. We are happy to report that she was able to purchase four young sheep using the loan. If the sheep grow to a nice size, she can sell them for a hefty profit.

Threats

Consumer spending – Consumers in Fadugu and nearby villages of Koinadugu have very little discretionary income to spend on goods that may not be required for survival. When consumers have no money, they don’t shop at Fatmata’s business. Weak consumer spending can hurt Fatmata’s business and her ability to generate income for her own survival.

Financial Impact from Loans Received

The chart illustrates the change in Fatmata’s monthly net income over the course of the loan activity with SMT after revenues and expenses are calculated. The net income is the amount the client is able to take home to help their family each month. You can see the steady increase in Fatmata’s income over the course of her loan cycles with SMT. Doing the math, Fatmata is taking home about $2/day.

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

To view SMT loans currently being funded on Kiva, please visit:

http://www.kiva.org/app.php?page=businesses&partner_id=57&status=fundRaising&sortBy=New+to+Old

To view all SMT loans currently being paid back, please visit:

http://www.kiva.org/app.php?page=businesses&partner_id=57&status=All&sortBy=New+to+Old

Regards,

Adam Grenier

Kiva Fellow, Fall 2008

Sierra Leone

Hi again.

Here's a new photo of Fatmata taken outside her home in the Fadugu village in Sierra Leone. She's showing off her new fish business.

Hope you enjoyed the journal update.

-Adam Grenier

Kiva Fellow