Ratna lives on the remote island of Rote in Indonesia with her husband, Hermanus, and their three daughters. The family struggles financially as Hermanus, a seaweed farmer, does not earn enough to cover their living expenses and education costs.

I only wish my children could finish high school... I work hard so all my children can have a good future,” says Ratna.

She had dreams for a better life, but Ratna needed just one more ingredient to get started: a small business loan.

With the help of a loan from one of Opportunity’s local partners, Ratna started her own cake-making business. Every morning, she bakes cakes and banana fritters to sell in her local community. Her business is thriving, and Ratna was recently able to purchase a fridge to make ice and ice lollies as a second arm of the business.

The money Ratna earns goes towards her children’s education, helping create a pathway out of poverty and a brighter future.

Here's a recipe to Ratna's delicious banana fritters, which are a hit when she sells them door-to-door in Rote:

Ingredients:

• 6 bananas
• 2 cups self-raising flour
• 1 cup water
• Oil for deep frying

Method:

1. Slice bananas into long strips
2. Mix flour and water until it forms a smooth batter. Sit for 10 minutes
3. Coat banana strips in flour then dip in batter
4. Heat oil in a deep pan. Cook in batches until golden
5. Serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Bon appétit! 

Last year, we supported more than 7.1 million families across Asia in creating a pathway out of poverty. To read more stories of transformation like Ratna's.