The recent launch of the Women’s Micro Bank’s, Mama Bank Access Point for women at the rural communities; pioneers of the bank were also acknowledged for their loyalty and contribution to the growth of the bank.
Anna Goi of Anna Goi Trading is one of the pioneers of the bank and she shares her story with EMTV.
Anna Goi is one mother amongst a lot of women in PNG who has been banking with Women’s Micro bank, since its inception in 2014.
Anna’s story is one of courage and hard work to keep food on the table for her 5 children to support her family.
Anna is a mother of five and is from Simbu Province, married to her husband from Morobe Province.
She started off at 4mile Works Compound in Port Moresby where she sold a biscuit for 50t to go with a cup of coffee.
When the husband retired from Works, they moved to Tokarara where she started a small trade at their new home from K600. Her inspiration to start a business came from her small brother who was a well-known business man in Simbu.
When Women’s Micro Bank opened, she left the banks she was banking with and started an account with Women’s Micro bank.
Since joining the bank, she has been receiving much needed support to take care of her family. Her small trade store was given a boost when she secured a loan with the bank.
Although the bank has been very supportive, Anna still finds that there is not enough support from the government in terms of providing avenues for women who want to expand their existing business or merely just to market their products.
Anna says, many of the women in her circle also want to venture into business but support and funding seems to be going to only those that are connected to the people at the top.
Despite this setback, Women’s Micro bank has helped numerous women like Anna to sustain her family. Recently, the bank has allowed its women clients to purchase shares from the bank as well. This has provided opportunities for women like Anna and many like-minded women to own their own bank.
