Mairam, Zeinep, Azhargul and Dzhanigul, middle age women were from those Kazakh families that first migrated to Zhambyl oblast, Kazakhstan from the Karakalpakastan region of Uzbekistan, a neighboring with Kazakhstan country.  Migrants came on call from motherland, Kazakhstan, which was made with the aim to increase population in country with one of the lowest in the world density of population rates, after country gained independence in 1991. 

As for the most such migrants, resettlement was not easy for their families.  They had to adjust to different culture, new places of leaving, and new schools for children.  It was difficult to find a job for adults as country was short of jobs even for own citizens.  But the spirit of entrepreneurship helped the women to find a niche in the market and apply their skills respectively: they started small production of national costumes.  Such costumes were gaining popularity among public very quickly due to increase of the national self-consciousness and identity.  Strong demand for the craft work resulted in opportunity for the next step of business development, namely its growth.  New plans required additional investment, so our heroes started looking for money.   As local banks hardly worked with such clients, the only option for them seemed to be street money lenders with the rates higher than banking rates more than ten times.  Fortunately, at that time ACF decided to open its branch in Taraz city, the capital of Zhambyl oblast, to serve people from surrounding villages.  

The women first heard about ACF from the friends, who already were borrowers of ACF.  After calculation of interest rate and monthly payment they visited ACF office in June 2009.   The terms and conditions were so appropriate for them that they immediately formed the group and took their first tiny loans.  In spite of being involved in the same sewing business the purpose of their loan requests was different.  Thus, Mairam planned to spend loan proceeds for new sewing machine to hire her first assistant with the aim to increase business capacity to meet increasing volume of orders as her business was expanding.   Zeinep was going to buy more fabric for new big order.   Azhargul and Dzhanigul were to expand variety of sewing accessories they use for the costumes.   Group started from $500 per one borrower on the first cycle of group loan and used all loan proceeds for the business which resulted in stable growth.  As the result on the second cycle of group loan the group was able to move to bigger amount - $800 per borrower.  Since disbursement of the first loan ACF has been working with the group for almost one year and heard only positive comments and best wishes for its work.  

We are so happy to realize that ACF became reliable financial partner for many rural women of Kazakhstan!
 
Pleased and prosperous clients are the best award for ACF!