Microfinance loan enables an impoverished family to prosper
Vahram Parsamyan, 43, no longer fears for his children’s educations and wellbeing, as he now manages a prosperous tomato business thanks to a loan from a World Vision Microfinance Institution.
Vahram’s greenhouse is the only greenhouse in Sisian region, some 220 kilometers southeast of the capital city Yerevan, that provides Novavan and surrounding villages with red, ripened tomatoes.As is often the case, Vahram’s road to success required creativity and bravery. Fellow villagers doubted the entrepreneurial endeavor, as no greenhouses existed in Sisian region. Yet Vahram had conducted a thorough analysis of the region’s agricultural market and found that agricultural products, and fresh vegetables in particular, are in demand in spring and early summer.
“When I decided to establish a greenhouse, which was something completely new in this region, everyone doubted I could manage it. Today, people are buying my tomatoes and my business is prospering,” says Vahram, standing proudly in his greenhouse.
When I decided to establish a greenhouse, which was something completely new in this region, everyone doubted I could manage it. Today, people are buying my tomatoes and my business is prospering
In reality, Vahram’s profitable greenhouse is the fruit of decades of patience, perseverance and hard work. As a young adult, Vahram was unemployed and worried about his future. He did not dare to marry and start a family until he was in his late 30s.
The tide of his life began to turn in 2004 when he learned about SEF International, World Vision International’s Microfinance Institution, through the head of the Noravan community. Eager to start a better life for himself, he applied for a loan and received 200,000 AMD (approximately US $380) to start a cow-breeding project as a member of a group.
That same year Vahram married Lusine, who soon became pregnant with their first son, Gor.
Just beginning a life together, the newly formed family had little money to put a roof over their heads. Thanks to their relatives they were able to rent a small house at a low price.
“We knew that we couldn’t stay in that house for long - we needed to buy our own house,” says Lusine, 31.
Vahram worked hard to pay back the loan and develop the cow breeding business, which proved a wise investment. However, he realized that cow breeding was very common in Sisan region and that his cows would only bring him so much profit.
“Cow-breeding was a good start for my family. I purchased two cows that provided my family with fresh milk every day, and I was able to put aside some money to buy a house for us. But I knew that if I wanted to earn more money, I needed to start something new,” explains Vahram.
I fought for every seedling to grow and to produce healthy vegetables
It was then Vahram conceived his novel idea to start a greenhouse. Since Noravan is predominantly known for cattle-breeding, Vahram’s proposal seemed odd not only to fellow villagers, but also to SEF. Situated high in the mountains of the Sisian region, Norovan’s cold and windy climate slows the growth of vegetables and fruits up to late summer and early autumn.
The villagers of Noravan must travel some 40 minutes on a dusty dirt road to the city of Sisian, where they purchase vegetables at high prices from the main regional market.
“We were surprised to receive his new business plan. But since he was a very reliable client and a responsible person, we decided to give him a chance,” says SEF Credit Officer Hakob Manucharyan.
With a second loan of 200,000 AMD, Vahram pioneered the first greenhouse in Sisian region. He purchased polyethylene plastic films, steel frames, seedlings and fertilizers, and erected a greenhouse in the yard of the family’s newly purchased house.
“It was a rather daring enterprise. We weren’t well acquainted with the techniques of running a greenhouse and cultivating vegetables, and there was no one who we could turn to for advice. We were doing and learning simultaneously,” remembers Vahram.
Everything we do, we do for our children. We must feed them, clothe them, and provide them with an education when due time comes.
Vahram worked day and night, his wife being his only helping hand and steady support.
“I spent most of the day at the greenhouse supporting my husband, as he had no other helping hand to rely on,” says Lusine. With the little time she had remaining, Lusine taught the Armenian language and literature at Noravan School.
The greenhouse required a tremendous amount of time and energy from Vahram. He worked tirelessly to keep the necessary temperature, purchase and use the appropriate fertilizers, fight illnesses and insects, and water at the right intervals.
Vahram’s work doubled when he started to work day shifts at the military unit of Sisian region. He spent his evenings working in the greenhouse.
Vahram and Lusine’s hard work has provided them with the hoped for results: their 200 square meters greenhouse yielded three tons of tomatoes this summer
“Everything we do, we do for our children. We must feed them, clothe them, and provide them with an education when due time comes,” she adds.
Much to their delight, Vahram and Lusine’s hard work has provided them with the hoped for results: their 200 square meters greenhouse yielded three tons of tomatoes this summer.
“I fought for every seedling to grow and to produce healthy vegetables,” says Vahram now enjoying the fruits of his labour.
Vahram’s greenhouse is the only greenhouse in Sisian region, some 220 kilometers southeast of the capital city Yerevan, that provides Novavan and surrounding villages with red, ripened tomatoes.As is often the case, Vahram’s road to success required creativity and bravery. Fellow villagers doubted the entrepreneurial endeavor, as no greenhouses existed in Sisian region. Yet Vahram had conducted a thorough analysis of the region’s agricultural market and found that agricultural products, and fresh vegetables in particular, are in demand in spring and early summer.
“When I decided to establish a greenhouse, which was something completely new in this region, everyone doubted I could manage it. Today, people are buying my tomatoes and my business is prospering,” says Vahram, standing proudly in his greenhouse.
When I decided to establish a greenhouse, which was something completely new in this region, everyone doubted I could manage it. Today, people are buying my tomatoes and my business is prospering
In reality, Vahram’s profitable greenhouse is the fruit of decades of patience, perseverance and hard work. As a young adult, Vahram was unemployed and worried about his future. He did not dare to marry and start a family until he was in his late 30s.
The tide of his life began to turn in 2004 when he learned about SEF International, World Vision International’s Microfinance Institution, through the head of the Noravan community. Eager to start a better life for himself, he applied for a loan and received 200,000 AMD (approximately US $380) to start a cow-breeding project as a member of a group.
That same year Vahram married Lusine, who soon became pregnant with their first son, Gor.
Just beginning a life together, the newly formed family had little money to put a roof over their heads. Thanks to their relatives they were able to rent a small house at a low price.
“We knew that we couldn’t stay in that house for long - we needed to buy our own house,” says Lusine, 31.
Vahram worked hard to pay back the loan and develop the cow breeding business, which proved a wise investment. However, he realized that cow breeding was very common in Sisan region and that his cows would only bring him so much profit.
“Cow-breeding was a good start for my family. I purchased two cows that provided my family with fresh milk every day, and I was able to put aside some money to buy a house for us. But I knew that if I wanted to earn more money, I needed to start something new,” explains Vahram.
I fought for every seedling to grow and to produce healthy vegetables
It was then Vahram conceived his novel idea to start a greenhouse. Since Noravan is predominantly known for cattle-breeding, Vahram’s proposal seemed odd not only to fellow villagers, but also to SEF. Situated high in the mountains of the Sisian region, Norovan’s cold and windy climate slows the growth of vegetables and fruits up to late summer and early autumn.
The villagers of Noravan must travel some 40 minutes on a dusty dirt road to the city of Sisian, where they purchase vegetables at high prices from the main regional market.
“We were surprised to receive his new business plan. But since he was a very reliable client and a responsible person, we decided to give him a chance,” says SEF Credit Officer Hakob Manucharyan.
With a second loan of 200,000 AMD, Vahram pioneered the first greenhouse in Sisian region. He purchased polyethylene plastic films, steel frames, seedlings and fertilizers, and erected a greenhouse in the yard of the family’s newly purchased house.
“It was a rather daring enterprise. We weren’t well acquainted with the techniques of running a greenhouse and cultivating vegetables, and there was no one who we could turn to for advice. We were doing and learning simultaneously,” remembers Vahram.
Everything we do, we do for our children. We must feed them, clothe them, and provide them with an education when due time comes.
Vahram worked day and night, his wife being his only helping hand and steady support.
“I spent most of the day at the greenhouse supporting my husband, as he had no other helping hand to rely on,” says Lusine. With the little time she had remaining, Lusine taught the Armenian language and literature at Noravan School.
The greenhouse required a tremendous amount of time and energy from Vahram. He worked tirelessly to keep the necessary temperature, purchase and use the appropriate fertilizers, fight illnesses and insects, and water at the right intervals.
Vahram’s work doubled when he started to work day shifts at the military unit of Sisian region. He spent his evenings working in the greenhouse.
Vahram and Lusine’s hard work has provided them with the hoped for results: their 200 square meters greenhouse yielded three tons of tomatoes this summer
“Everything we do, we do for our children. We must feed them, clothe them, and provide them with an education when due time comes,” she adds.
Much to their delight, Vahram and Lusine’s hard work has provided them with the hoped for results: their 200 square meters greenhouse yielded three tons of tomatoes this summer.
“I fought for every seedling to grow and to produce healthy vegetables,” says Vahram now enjoying the fruits of his labour.
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