Success Stories

Bassam Abed Rabbo

For two years, Bassam struggled to keep his limited selection of frozen foods grocery running, He worked alone, kept an improvised, often inaccurate balance sheet and hoped to sell enough products to customers who had the choice of three other similar groceries on the same street. Business was a daily strain.

When a Tamweelcom manager passed by on one of his frequent visits to various businesses along the street, Bassam decided to hear him out, With his first loan of 500 JD, Bassam bought himself a new freezer, and expanded his selection of frozen foods, He bought frozen meats which he chopped up and packaged according to the needs of his customer, Upon advice from his Tamweelcom manager, he introduced sales on his products, attracting more customers.

In the meantime, and with his Tamweelcom case manager constantly available for support, Bassam repaid his loan in good time, He took on another loan of 1,200 JD and opened another grocery store four meters up the road, He hired three employees for both stores. The second store specialized in yoghurts, cheeses, pickles and processed meats, He hired an accountant for the separate administration of both stores.

Today, five years later, Bassam has plans for the third store: a fresh chicken butchery, His Tamweelcom case manager continues to visit him regularly to offer advice and support.

'The hard times are over', Bassam says with clear optimism, 'So much has come out of nothing'.

His Tamweelcom case manager is clearly affronted by his last statement.

'Not from nothing, Bassam', he corrects him, 'it was your hard work, good sense and total commitment. So much has come out of that.'