Change a Girl's Life Through Microentrepreneurship

“The fact that I left Ekona safe and sound with my family was a miracle to me,” said Mamisala a 30 years old mother of 4. Before the crisis, she owned small tailoring accessories shop back in Ekona (one of the most hard-hit areas of the ongoing Anglophone crisis) in the Fako Division of the South West region. “We had normalized constant running into the bushes (black bush, Back Mountain) to seek refuge when the Military visit our community in search of the Amba boys (Non-state arm group)”.

In November 2018, due to ill health as a result of exposure to mosquito bites, typhoid as a result of no good drinking water and server hunger in the bushes, Mamisala decided to move to Kumba with her family (a very sick husband, malnourished and Malaria affected children). With no source of livelihood, “our stay in Kumba was dependent on the goodwill of people around us”. As a result of his inability to provide for his household and play his role as the head of the house, Mamisala’s diabetic husband fell prey to depression. Because of too much thinking, his blood pressure was always rising, and in October 2019 he passed into glory. “I did not know what to do when my husband died. Is it to mourn our devastating economic situation or to mourn my dead husband. His death made me strong for our four kids,” she said. With help from her family, Mamisala started a Yoghurt business with a capital of $20 (10,000 FRS) in 2020. The small business had so many eyes looking upon it for survival. This caused the business to be stagnant and could hardly grow. 

In 2021, she was identified by Reach Out social worker in the street while hawking yoghurt. After conducting her social enquiry Mamisali presented a realistic business plan. After undergoing entrepreneurship, business management, bookkeeping and savings training, an expansion capital of $60 (30,000 FRS) was given to her. “With my little savings of $70 (35,000frs) and a loan of $50 (25,000 frs) I got a fairly used fridge for my business” with the sum of $200 (100,000 FRS), Mamisala combined the business expansion grant, her savings and the loan and got a fridge for her yoghurt business.

After 10 months of monitoring and evaluation, she progressively operated her business on an average monthly capital of $68 (54000 frs) with an average monthly profit of $60 (30,000frs). In March 2022, Mamisala was given a second expansion grant of $100 (50,000 FRS). The second grant allowed her to diversify in business; she invested in a tailoring accessories business which has a quick turnover as a result of the presence of tailors in her quarter. In October 2022, Mamaisala invested in poultry farming which yielded good profits in December 2022 as a result of the scarcity of fowl in the market for the festive periods.   “Today I am proud of my business.  “The business has consoled me. Though I still think of my life back in Ekona I don’t feel that bad because I have a business here”. As a result of the business, she was made the president in their quarter meeting. She has also gained some grounds and recognition. “This business is everything to me and my family. My children’s fees, feeding, clothing and health bills are all dependent on this business”. Averagely, Mamisala operates a business of $300 (150,000 FRS) with an average monthly profit of $134 (67,000 FRS).

Mamisala is just 1 among the 100 women whom your support has been able to support economically through micro businesses in the South West region of Cameroon. Thank you so much for the support you give to crisis-affected women in Cameroon

Iren is a school dropout (primary level) who had finished learning a trade (tailoring). Due to financial barriers and the nature of her community (rural), she embraced farming as a means of livelihood. "Though the earnings from our farm produce were small, our lives were organized and we enjoyed peace though it was short-lived by the crisis as we lost our source of livelihood”.  Says Iren a 27 years old mother of 2 who have experience her fair share of the ongoing crisis. She is an internally displaced woman from Bum, a sub-division in the Boyo Division of the North West Region.

Having stayed with her children for over 3 years without school, Iren moved to Malale a locality in the Fako Division of the South West Region of Cameroon. While in Malale, Iren continued with farming as her main source of income. With little support from her uncle whom she stayed with, her children could attend a government primary school in the village”.  In March 2021, the traditional ruler of Malale was brutally murdered by unknown gunmen. This caused the community to be invaded by the Military making life unbearable for its inhabitants. With the increasing rate of security incidents recorded, Iren and her host family moved to Muea another rural community in the Fako Division of the South West Region.

With limited or no access to farmland, Iren decided to put her tailoring skills to use in her new environment. After so many failed attempts to find a paid job in tailoring, she found a shop where she could offer her services for free while doing her small jobs like mending dressing. Life became even harder as Muea is a locality that has been affected by the crisis. Many people have been displaced from the community with several returnees.

In August 2021, Iren was identified by Reach Out Social Workers. After conducting her social inquiry and she presented a realistic business plan, she was selected to be a beneficiary of Economic Empowerment. After going through entrepreneurship training where her capacity was built on Business management, bookkeeping, savings and risk analysis, Iren received the first-level grant of $60 (30,000 frs).  “this money changed my story” said Iren. Having an understanding with the shop owner, Iren bought some sewing accessories such as thread, needles, Elastic, bayas and 10 pieces of material. She stated sawing free wear (Caba) for sale.  “The business has helped me a lot as I have been able to rent a room of my own with my two children. I am

After 10 months of monitoring and evaluation, Iren progressively operated her business on an average monthly capital of $68 (54000 frs) with an average monthly profit of $60 (30,000frs). In July 2022, Iren was given an expansion grant of $100 (50,000 FRS).  “Today I am proud of my business. People come to the shop to buy things like thread, Bayas and other things from me. This additional money gave my business a new phase”. Iren increased the quantity and quality of materials she sells. She is now able to do retail of some basic accessories like thread, needles and Bayas. 

Iren is just 1 among the 100 women whom your support has been able to support economically through micro businesses in the South West region of Cameroon. Thank you so much for the support you give to crisis-affected women in Cameroon.