COUNTRY

Kosovo

GNI PER CAPITA

USD 5,130 – 2021 (World Bank)

INSTITUTION

AFK

KEY INDICATOR

100% – loans to micro-enterprises

Activity

Hairdressing and nail salon

Microcredit

12,000 EUR

Project

Renovating and maintaining salon and equipment

Testimony

Berna Sancakla, 35 years old, divorced, two daughters. She was born in Istanbul to a Kosovar mother and a Turkish father. The family moved back to Gjakovë, her mother’s hometown. Berna studied in Kosovo and has a university degree in economics (BA). She opened her first hairdressing and nail salon 15 years ago. At the time, she rented a very small premises to run her business, where she stayed for around ten years. She took out her first loan of €3,000 10 years ago to buy equipment. She moved to her current premises, which she rents, 5 years ago. The salon has a surface area of 125m2 on two levels, is modern, well-maintained and very busy.

She has taken out four successive loans from AFK, the latest of which is for €12,000. She is using the funds to renovate and maintain her salon and renew her equipment.  These loans have been essential in maintaining and developing her business. Although the repayment burden may seem heavy, she feels they are absolutely necessary. In addition, Berna aims to open a new salon, which she will entrust to her eldest daughter.