Ibu Wahmiyati and her husband run a “WarTeg” business, which is a local term based on the phrase “Warung Tegal.” Their customers can choose from a variety of dishes sold buffet-style and pay based on their selection.

They have been running this business for six years. Before starting the WarTeg, they wanted to open a regular shop near their house. However, due to the high competition in the area, Ibu Wahmiyati decided to open the WarTeg instead. Yet, she had trouble finding enough money to start the business until she got a small loan from Bina Artha, a microfinance institution in Indonesia that works with BlueOrchard.

Then, the Covid-19 pandemic hit, causing a significant decrease in their business turnover. Fortunately, local people continued to visit her WarTeg for meals after work or during lunch breaks. In addition, the financing she received from Bina Artha was a reliable source of funding, which helped her keep her business running during tough times.

After the pandemic, Ibu Wahmiyati’s WarTeg business got better, and now she can take care of her family and support her children’s education. She dreams of expanding her WarTeg to a few more branches in the area, and with the continued support of microfinancing, she is confident that she can achieve her goals.