Angel Asenov

Angel Asenov

Angel is an exceptional guy. He came to us originally about a year ago in search of a loan to start a small bike repair shop in the Roma ghetto in Sliven, Bulgaria. He was one of our first clients and has turned out to be the one in which we have the most pride. The Roma are viewed by most ethnic Bulgarians as lazy, shifty and entirely untrustworthy; Angel has completely upended that stereotype.

When we met, Angel had worked at a bike repair shop in the commercial center of Sliven for close to 15 years. Upon the shop’s closing, he aimed to strike out on his own and start a shop within the Roma ghetto. 20,000 Roma live in the neighborhood in conditions that are shockingly below the European average. Biking isn’t the leisure activity it is for many in the West; rather, for many it is the only affordable way to get around. For the most part, bikes that the Roma ride have only one gear on a small frame.

After being denied his loan by six banks, Angel heard about our nascent program. With a loan of $850, Angel turned a part of his concrete home into his workshop, purchased metalworking tools and bought the supplies he would need. After a busy summer of work, his business slowed in the late fall with the turn in weather. However, Angel figured out a way to put his metalworking tools to work and began repairing and making doors and window frames for neighborhood clients. Six weeks ago, some of his tools broke and he needed to purchase new ones for which we made him a supplemental loan. In the process, he impressed the metalworking sales agent to the point where he became a leasing agent for the company.

Angel now has three lines of business. His achievements are remarkable and have been featured in national newspapers. Angel is a great role model for many in his neighborhood. This loan will be to cover his new equipment and provide a new line of working capital to all three of his lines of business.

Angel's original posting is here:

http://www.kiva.org/app.php?page=businesses&action=about&id=274

The photo here shows Angel in front of his shop. The sign behind him, translated literally, reads "Metalworking tools, services of leasing."

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