Women money changers help Djibouti economy

These women live in Djibouti. They are at work. Their bags are full of money. The money is from different countries. They change money for people.

These money changers have dollars and euros. They have Djiboutian francs and Ethiopian birr too.

Noura Hassan became a money changer 10 years ago. She uses information from the bank to change money.

Noura: "We are aware of the exchange rates because our bank gives us this sheet. It's free, it's through this sheet that we know the exchange rates."

Djibouti is a small African country. Many women here didn't go to school. But money changing is easy. Medina likes her job.

Medina: "It’s a decent job, it's better than being jobless. You work to earn a living for your children. When you sit here you have a cash flow, you don't need to beg from anyone working on your own."

This area isn’t rich. There aren’t any banks. But money changers are busy. People come here from other countries. Everyone needs to change money.

The women have lots of money in their bags. But they are safe together. They help each other.

Zahra says no one steals from the women. They are afraid of them.

Zahra: "Whoever steals money does not come to us. They're scared. We're a lot, aren't we? He's not coming. If I'm alone he'll come." View Less