"My wheels of progress" - H L Saman (Tissamaharama)
Hatton National Bank has taken a lead role among the Banks and Financial Institutions in downscaling to the bottom of the pyramid over the last two decades with greater involvement in the Microfinance industry in Sri Lanka and has empowered over 100,000 Micro Entrepreneurs to stand on their feet and progress with the Bank as successful Micro Entrepreneurs.
Barefoot Bankers of Hatton National Bank known as Gami Pubuduwa Upadeshakas (GPU), totaling to over 150, not only work as Micro Financiers but also as Mentors & Guides not only to empower but also to enrich the visions of these Micro Entrepreneurs.
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| Picture shows Mr H L Saman, proprietor of Saman Service Centre, Tissamaharama. |
One such story of Mr. H L Saman from Tissamaharama is an excellent example of a transformation of a micro entrepreneur which was brought through the involvement of the Gami Pubuduwa Upadeshakas of HNB.
15 Years back H L Saman who lives in Tissamaharama opened a small garage from the little money he had saved. This garage undertook motor bicycle repairs and provided motor bicycles for hire. Life went on each day, but it was disheartening to want to do more in life so keenly but not have the means to achieve more. Then I heard about Gami Pubuduwa through a friend and I thought why not? What have I got to lose?
I had a chat with the Bankuwe Mahattaya (HNB Gami Pubuduwa Upadeshaka) and was amazed to know that the bank was willing to give me the financial assistance I needed to expand my garage. The Rs. 120,000 loan obtained through Gami Pubuduwa in the year 2000 turned my world around. Through the loan, I was able to expand my business and convert it into a service center for motor bicycles and three-wheelers.
What was to be repaid in 3 years, due to the success of the business, was paid off in just one year and I obtained another loan of Rs. 400,000 to expand my enterprise further, moving on to servicing other vehicles as well. That too was paid back in 2004, after which I obtained another loan of Rs. 600,000 which has also been paid back.
Now my business is named Saman Service Center and is the leading vehicle maintenance center in all of Tissamaharama. I'm also the proud authorized dealer of up-market brands such as Dimo, TVS and Caltex. Why stop here, I thought. So I then took the chance and ventured into agri business, which proved to be a success as well, and I am thankful to the bank for helping me make the right decisions when it came to investing the money that they had helped me make. Mine is the leading service center around town, but why stop here? I'll be refurbishing my business by setting up a new tourist hotel very soon with the help of HNB of course.
HNB Gami Pubuduwa Upadeshaka did more than just dole out cash, he stood by me in times of need, be it at the crack of dawn or in the middle of the night until my business was well established. The relationship he maintained with me was not a distant and cold one.
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