Malika Hassoun

Malika has been a shopkeeper in the medina of Fez for fifteen years. She is married and has three children, aged between 8 and 14. She sells medicinal plants, cosmetic oils and spices in a large shop that attracts many customers, including groups of tourists.

She is a client of Attadamoune, SIDI’s partner microfinance institution which, in addition to its microcredit activities, helps illiterate and destitute women through vocational training and literacy programs. Malika looks back on her career:

“I started fifteen years ago with a small loan of 2,500 Moroccan Dirhams (about €238). The duration of my loans varies: six months, one year, three years, it all depends. It helps me a lot to buy raw materials and develop my business.”

Today, Malika manages a team of fourteen employees and is repaying a loan of 30,000 Dirhams, with monthly payments of 1,118 MAD at a rate of 2.64%.

““I’ve remained loyal to Attadamoune and I am very satisfied with their support. Thanks to them, I’ve completed many training courses in accounting, handicrafts, and more. My business has developed well, and my children are all in school.”