Left: With the micro credit from the Amal Bank, Hoorya has been able to generate an income from painting on glass. Right: The bank has ten branches in Sana’a, Aden, Ibb and Taiz, and plans to open 40 new branches by 2013 to expand its operations for limited income Yemenis to cover more areas. (Photo by Ali Saeed)

By: Ali Saeed

Hoorya has a talent for drawing on glass, but she did not have sufficient money to buy the materials to produce and sell decorated glass to generate income for her poor family. She had no source of income except for YR 6,000 she received every three months from the Social Welfare Fund as social security.

When she heard about the Amal Microfinance Bank, she quickly ran to the bank to obtain credit and start up her small business for drawing on glass. Hoorya was in need for YR 150,000 (about USD 628), but the bank offered her and her sister credit of YR 30,000 (about USD 125).

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