Rose's Motel

What a day! I have to admit I was a bit nervous this morning not knowing what to expect with my first day on the job. 

Charlie and I were heading to 'Good Life Saving & Credit Co-Operative'. After introductions and exchanging pleasantries, we went through an overview of the credit union which was established in 2003. We were shocked to learn that the chair of the board was also a full time staff member and on the loan committee. We went through some financials to have a better understanding of the business and clarify some of our initial questions. There was a bit of a language barrier and a seemingly simple question would take a few minutes of back and forth before a one word answer was translated back. I wonder what they may have really been saying.

We had an amazing opportunity to meet with a member and her story was absolutely heart warming. Dashdulam is a local motel owner who was happy to share her story with us. She became a member of the Good Life SCC in 2004 after seeing an advertisement in a newspaper. She had a vision to turn her house into a small motel as a source of income. She could not obtain financing from a bank as she was only looking for a small amount and did not have a business plan so they would not deal with her.

Dashdulam had polio when she was five years old and has required crutches ever since. She studied to become an accountant but had difficulty obtaining a job in her field because of her disability. She decided to contact Good Life whose mandate is to support people in their daily life and improve their standard of living. A strong relationship was formed. She received a small loan so she could complete some minor renovations on her property. Once that was repaid, she borrowed again - for furniture, TVs and appliances. She now has a profitable business thanks to the Good Life SCC and the opportunity they gave her.

She raved about the service she receives and the fact they work on trust. They will even come to pick up her payments if she is unable to make it into the branch. She also likes that they have loyalty pricing for repeat borrowers - she is now on her fifth loan.

She is now in a financial position to deal with the big banks but she is loyal to Good Life. Her principle is simple - run a clean motel with 'good life' living standards. She is not interested in running a luxury accommodation but takes pride in her establishment. She even showed us her cabinet full of clean linens. I was truly touched listening to her speak. I was thankful for her openness and honesty with us.

I thought the story was finished... but then it got even better. I asked who the two ladies that were in the motel with her were. She explained one was her housekeeping staff and she has one other employee (a maintenance man). She then went on to explain she only hires retired or handicapped workers. People who need the work but have a difficulty finding work elsewhere for various reasons. I was astounded. This is the full circle. People helping people!

Charlie then decided to buy a bottle of water and she was very grateful. She was ecstatic when he asked to buy five - one for each of us. And when he gave her 10,000 tugrik to settle his 3,000 tugrik tab, she nearly fell to the floor. She told us she was not going to spend this and instead she would frame it and hang it on her wall.