Returnee Starts Small Business in Bosnia-Herzegovina
Photo: CWS Balkans
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Minority returnees are starting sustainable small businesses in ethnically diverse and devastated areas of Bosnia-Herzegovina, with support from Church World Service.
Church World Service, with Disciples of Christ-Week of Compassion (WOC) and local partners Merhamet and Dobrotvor, has provided support in the past year for small-business start-ups in Canton Sarajevo and Republica Srpska, to continue assisting reintegration of returnees.
Dada Aljic is one such entreprenuer. As she rebuilds her livelihood, she is benefitting not only her own family, but those of her employees as well.
Dada Aljic is 53 years old. She lives with her husband Rashid, who is 63, and their daughter Dusica, 35. Her son Miso, was 34 years old when he died during the war. Dada was a fashion designer before the war. She owned several boutiques in the former Yugoslavia, but as a result of the war, she lost everything.
During the war, Dada and her family remained in Sarajevo. She worked in a variety of jobs to ensure survival of the family. She was fortunate to save some sewing machines and materials from one of her workshops in Sarajevo. With this equipment and materials, she was able to make clothing that she sold to people in her neighborhood.
After the war, Dada decided to use her sewing and design skills to re-start and improve her business. To achieve this aim, she needed additional equipment and more workers. Knowing that CWS-WOC, through partners Merhamet and Dobrotvor, gives very favorable loans through the Sustainable Small Business project, she decided to apply. Dada was a member of Dobrotvor and she fulfilled all criteria for the loan. Dada received a loan in the amount of $3,000. With these funds Dada decided to invest in purchasing more equipment--a cutting machine and an additional sewing machine. With this equipment she has been able to employ two more women and to increase production.
By studying the local market, Dada has identified that there is a demand for student uniforms. She plans to be the exclusive producer of uniforms of certain types in Sarajevo.