Glatiana Chilato is known around her village as Mama Kuku, “mother of chickens”. She is 48 and married with six children. In 2011 her husband suffered a stroke, leaving Glatiana responsible and the head of household. For years she has struggled to provide the basic needs for her family and worked hard to make ends meet by having about 10 chickens to provide income from the sale of eggs.
When she joined BUWEA in 2015 she received her first loan of $50 USD and doubled the number of chickens she keeps. From the sale of so many eggs, all of her children are in school and she is able to support her husband with his health needs.
In 2016 Glatiana took another loan for $80 USD and purchased more chickens to expand her business. Now in 2019 she has 40 chickens. Glatiana plans to raise even more chickens to generate more income, enough to build up her savings and not worry about finances for her family.