Flooding in the Congo has upended countless lives. Shukuru Sadiki’s story, and the support that he received from FINCA, exemplifies the resilience needed to navigate such adversity. Before the flood, Shukuru’s business was flourishing. Customers arrived daily, and everything was running smoothly, with a promising future ahead. But life took a sudden and devastating turn when a relentless flood swept through the city of Kalemie on the eastern edge of the Democratic Republic of Congo, submerging three-quarters of the area, including Shukuru’s business.

The impact was overwhelming. Shukuru had just taken out a loan from FINCA to buy inventory and expand his business, making the sight of his livelihood engulfed by water even more shocking. Flooding in the Congo had halted his dreams, leaving him uncertain about how to move forward.

In the face of this crisis, Shukuru quickly evacuated, salvaging his merchandise and moving it to a safer location. Although he avoided significant inventory losses, the trauma of that moment remains unforgettable. As the floodwaters receded slowly, the competition for commercial space in Kalemie, a port city on Lake Tanganyika, became intense. Merchants were desperate to restart their businesses, and finding a new location seemed nearly impossible.

Shukuru’s Tireless Search

For over 60 days, Shukuru searched tirelessly, confronting numerous obstacles but refusing to give up. The challenges posed by flooding in the Congo were immense, but Shukuru found a beacon of hope through FINCA. “The staff at FINCA were more than just lenders,” he told us. “They were my partners in resilience. They encouraged me every step of the way, offering practical advice and unwavering support. They processed my loan requests with incredible speed, in less than seven days, allowing me to secure a new location on a main road—a prime spot that gave my business a fresh start.”

Shukuru in his new store in Kalemie.

“Looking back, I am sincerely grateful for FINCA’s support. Without their help, I might have lost everything. Instead, I was able to rebuild, even as many others struggled to recover. My follow-up agent played a crucial role, ensuring I didn’t fall into despair.”

Shukuru is deeply grateful for FINCA’s support, and in turn to the donors who help make FINCA’s work possible. While many others struggled to recover from the effects of flooding in the Congo, Shukuru, with the help of his FINCA follow-up agent, persevered. His journey is a powerful testament to the human spirit’s ability to overcome overwhelming challenges.

This article originally appeared on finca.org.