, Ramallah : 16-10-2008

Fatma Breigiyeh (Um Hasan), from Masara Village near Bethlehem,  and Sabah Ilbari (Um Rami), from Ya'bed Village near Jenin, are the two Palestinian women clients at the Palestinian Businesswomen's Association; Asala, who won the second and third place awards for Outstanding Micro Finance Clients in the West Bank presented by the Palestinian Network for Small and Micro Finace; Sharakeh and PlaNet Finance (Belgium).  The second place award was for USD $1,500 and the third place award was USD $1000.

Um Hasan won the award for the project that she advanced and developed with a loan from Asala in 2000 at a value of USD $10,000.  With this loan, Um Hasan created and expanded her greenhouse project and sheep raising project. In 2005, Um Hasan took a second loan for USD $5,000 and further developed her project.  Upon accepting her award, Um Hasan thanked everyone involved and expressed her pride in her project and the fact that it enabled her to raise and educate her very large extended family with dignity.  She pointed out that she is especially proud to receive such an award as she managed to succeed despite the fact that she faces not only the same difficult economical and political circumstances that all Palestinian men endure, but also faces even more obstacles just because she is a woman.   

Um Rami won the award for a project she established in 1997 with a loan from Asala at the value of USD $3,000.  With this loan, Um Rami produced traditional Arabic sweets.  She went on to take four more loans worth a total value of USD $32,000. With this money, Um Rami expanded her sweets' business into a food production and distribution business; she even began making sandwiches and snacks for schoolchildren.  

The judges who determined the winners of the awards are Shireen Abu Eid, from the Palestinian Monetary Authority, Osama Abu Ali , from PalTrade, Ahmed Abu Bekir, from GTZ, Samar Badis, micro finance expert, and Du'a Wadi, from the Working Women's Forum.  The committee based its decisions on the following criteria: the degree of advancement and growth of the project, the project's ability to create employment opportunities, innovations and excellence in the implementation of the project, the effort given to marketing the project, the insurance of safety and security measures in the project, the social impact of the project, and the client's commitment to his/her repayment schedule.

22 projects were submitted for the competition from the West Bank, and the committee had no access to any of the applicant's personal information including the supporting micro finance institution.  The fact that the applications were submitted anonymously and that two of the three awards went to Palestinian women is something that Asala is very proud of and applauds.

During the same ceremony, Asala's loan officer in Jenin, Reema Heb el Reeh, received an award for being one of the Best Loan Officers in 2007. This award was also presented by Sharakeh.  The event also hosted a 2-day bazaar that allowed micro entrepreneurs to display and market their products; 3 of Asala's clients participated in the bazaar.