Before the loan, life was hard. Nadiya recalls those early days with a steady voice, filled with emotion.
Nadiya and her husband live in a rural village, working side by side in their small shop and on their farm. Together they raised their only daughter, who is now 23 years old and the proud mother of a young son. It has been a long journey to stability—one built step by step through determination, hard work, and the opportunity provided by small loans from our program.
Several years ago, Nadiya received her first microloan. She used it to buy a cow, a simple but life-changing decision. The cow provided milk they could use at home and sell in the market, adding a steady source of income.
With her second loan, Nadiya leased land to grow vegetables. The fresh produce not only fed her family but also brought in earnings when she sold the surplus.
A third loan allowed her to purchase another cow—now eight months pregnant—which will soon become a milking cow, further boosting her income. Around the same time, she invested in fingerlings from our fish farm and began raising fish in the pond behind her home. Nadiya explains that they eat what they need from the fish and sell the rest in the market.
Her fields are now vibrant with cauliflower, watermelon, and a variety of other crops. And with her most recent loan, Nadiya took an even bigger step—she purchased a rice mill. Villagers now bring their rice harvests to her for processing, paying a small fee that provides another steady source of revenue for her family.
Education has been just as important to Nadiya as income. She proudly reflects on finishing her education through the 10th grade, but the real milestone is that her daughter was able to complete her bachelor’s degree—an achievement that once felt out of reach.
Today, Nadiya’s home is filled with the laughter of her grandson, the smells of fresh vegetables, and the sounds of her rice mill at work. What began as a single loan for one cow has transformed into multiple sources of income and a secure future for her family.
Nadiya’s story is a powerful reminder that microloans can do more than support livelihoods—they create lasting opportunities, open doors to education, and empower families to turn their hard work into real results and lasting change. Thanks to our donors, families like hers can leave extreme poverty behind and build a future full of hope.