This feature story was orignally published by Annapurna Microfinance, a CFI partner that has collaborated on our Financial Inclusion for Persons with Disabilities program. Click here for more stories on disability inclusion from India. 

Ashma is a 23-year-old unmarried woman with a disability. She lives with her parents and her younger brother in a small village of Khurda district, Odisha. She is a determined individual who works hard to support her family's basic needs and brother's education. She owns a variety store at her house and sells cosmetics, shampoos, soaps, bangles, etc.

About a year ago she received a loan of 20,000 INR from Annapurna Microfinance and bought more cosmetics and bangles -- things that she was already selling, and also some additional products like detergents, stationery items, chocolates, and wafers. Currently she is making a profit of 10,000 INR per month which is a great improvement over what she was earning before.

Now she is satisfied with her income and living a happy life with her parents and brother. She is also getting more respect from society. Now her brother is attending a good public school. She is grateful to Annapurna for the opportunity she received.