Strong bond helps couple run successful business
Anjeeta and her husband Vinubhai run a successful snack stall and tailoring business in the Gujarat region in India. The couple, who both have mobility issues, are a wonderful success story, thanks to a loan from one of Opportunity International Australia’s local partners.
“With my first loan I bought a sewing machine and slowly I started sewing and making some money to support my family,” said Anjeeta. "Then we took the second loan to start our corner shop.”
Anjeeta feels a real sense of achievement running her own business and shares her dreams for the future.
“I want to be able to pay off my loan and improve my corner shop,” said Anjeeta. “And I’d like to do some improvements around the house.”
Anjeeta and Vinubhai try not to let their disabilities affect their life.
“It does get challenging, I cannot carry water pots on my head, day- to-day life is not easy for us, but we have learned to not complain and get on with life,” said Anjeeta.
The loan has saved our lives and has made us independent. We are happy and content.”
Anjeeta grew up in a large family that struggled financially. As the fourth child of five, she left school in Year 4 to help with household chores and work.
“Life was difficult as I come from a poor family,” added Anjeeta. “When we got our first loan it made life a little easier.”
Income from Anjeeta’s tailoring business allowed her to repay the loan and then expand that business to the corner shop she now runs with Vinubhai. They work as a team in the shop and enjoy working together.
“We hit the markets first thing in the morning and then get onto some home chores and then the shop,” said Vinubhai. “We have a system.”
“My business is my achievement, it means the world to me to have come this far,” added Anjeeta.
“I have a sense of achievement and it makes me happy that I didn’t give up.
“We are happy and share a strong bond,” added Anjeeta. “Thank you for giving us the loan, this has improved our lives, thank you very much”.
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