Money was her biggest worry. The garment factory where she worked had to close during the lockdown, leaving her with no income, but still seven mouths to feed. Others in the family were also without regular work. She already borrowed all she could from a neighbour, with no idea how to reimburse her.

Struggling to repay her debts and facing the wrath of her lenders on a near-daily basis, she almost lost hope.

Fortunately, attending the ILO’s financial training was a turning point for Daw Aye Ki. She came away from the session buzzing with ideas and a solid business plan involving selling diesel oil in the neighbourhood.

Finding the funds to kick-start her business at first seemed impossible. Money lenders proposed eye-watering rates of interest – around 15-20 per cent – and low interest loans weren’t accessible to her.

The ILO-funded Savings Association provided just the solution she needed. Convinced that her business plan was a viable one, the group allowed her to borrow the money she needed and pay it back in instalments.

Now Daw Aye Ki is able to support her family through this challenging time, and is even eager to support others in difficulty. “I am determined to help people like me who need help,” she says.