Satyamma lives in Lingapur, a village in the Medak district of Andhra Pradesh, known for its betel-leaf farming. Most days, she is found on the busy streets of Narankhyed, a blanket spread in front of her with heaps of betel-leaves. Peddling betel leaves brings Satyamma an average salary of Rs 142 (USD 3) a day, a remarkable improvement over her income of Rs 20 (44 cents) as an agricultural labourer in the village. During the four-month betel season, she sells up to eight bundles for a weekly profit of Rs 2,400 (USD 53).

During the eight month off-season, Satyamma purchases betel leaves from Hyderabad and other large towns in the vicinity which allows her a steady stream of income through the year. Her husband is an integral part of the family livelihood. During the harvest season, he works on the half-acre of land where the betel leaves are harvested and grown. The success of their business has allowed them to reclaim a half-acre of land previously mortgaged to a landlord. Now the two are rightful landowners with the ability to grow paddy during the wet season and millets during the dry season.

Satyamma is emblematic of the Swayam Krishi Snagram Microfinance Pvt Ltd (SKS) Microfinance story. As an SKS member for six years, Satyamma's loans total Rs 47,000 (USD 1044). These loans served as catalysts to improve her business and better her family's livelihood. Since 2004, ICICI Bank has played an important role in servicing the financing needs of SKS Microfinance Pvt Ltd. Till December 2006, ICICI Bank has disbursed loans to nearly a fourth of SKS's 300,000 poor clients. As SKS continues to grow at rates of over 150% per annum, ICICI Bank will continue to contribute to SKS's mission to empower the poor to become economically self-reliant by providing financial services in a sustainable manner.

A confident Satyamma now says that she is no longer struggling to provide for her family, and has high hopes for her two young sons. The eldest, who is nine, will be the first in their family to finish high school, she promises.