Aruna’s story
Thanks to a loan, I was able to open my own shop.
Aruna’s journey from sewing workshop to jewellery store owner
Aruna Yadav (46) runs her own ladies’ corner where she sells jewellery and fabrics. She opened her shop, called Alakar Fancy Corner, over 14 years ago. The building belongs to her parents, but the shop itself is registered in her name. Aruna and her husband have four children. Her three daughters are all married and have moved out, while her youngest son, who is still in secondary school, lives at home.
She used to work in a sewing workshop, stitching clothes and embroidering traditional saris. The work was physically demanding, and she began to suffer from severe back pain. This led her to leave the workshop and start her own business. But to do so, she needed a loan. Through Oikocredit’s partner Vreedhi, Aruna was able to access a loan of 200,000 Indian rupees (around €2,200). She used this amount to purchase stock. In addition to the loan, Aruna also has access to health insurance through Vreedhi.
The most popular products in her shop are jewellery. She sells particularly large numbers of bracelets during the Raksha Bandhan festival. Her customers are mostly women, but men also stop by to buy gifts for their wives or sisters. Aruna has already repaid her first loan and has taken out a second loan—again for 200,000 Indian rupees—to continue expanding her shop.
