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Overcoming the Force of a Tsunami

Written by: Grameen Foundation

Article Overview: Yuli's story - Banda Aceh, Indonesia

Overcoming the Force of a Tsunami

Despite the tragedy of the December 2004 tsunami, Yuli is working hard to make a better life for her family. Before the tsunami, they lived in Lhoknga, Banda Aceh, where Yuli owned and operated a small kiosk selling dry goods. Lhoknga was one of the most severely hit areas in all of Banda Aceh; of its 25,000 original inhabitants, only 7,000 survived. Thankfully, Yuli and her family all lived through the ordeal, but they lost their home and Yuli’s business. The cement factory where her husband worked was completely destroyed, leaving him unemployed.

Yuli’s family is now living with her parents, whose home is still standing. Her husband now works as a driver, but work is inconsistent. After the tsunami, Yuli opened up a kiosk outside of her parents' home, selling baked goods and treats made by other women in the village.

Yuli first heard of Grameen Foundation partner YKBS when a loan officer stopped by her stall one day to tell her about their services. With a $100 loan from YKBS, Yuli was able to buy more cakes and goods to sell. She has now increased her profit to $6 per day. She says that her family’s situation has improved greatly since she took out a loan, and she now feels confident that she will be able to continue paying her children's school fees, which total $23 per month.

Once she repays her current loan, Yuli hopes to be able to take out a larger loan that would allow her to build a bigger shop. When asked about her hopes for her family, she replies, "I want all of my children to be in good health and have a good education. And I want to have a new home for my family."

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Article Tags: all of my children, baked goods, banda aceh, better life, cakes, cement factory, december 2004 tsunami, dry goods, foundation partner, good education, good health, inhabitants, kiosk, loan officer, ordeal, parents, tragedy, tsunami, yuli



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