Change a Girl's Life Through Microentrepreneurship

Charity is a resident of Tole, Cameroon. In 2015, just before the Anglophone crisis began in 2016, she received support from Reach Out Cameroon. This crisis severely disrupted the operations of many beneficiaries, forcing some to suspend their businesses and others to relocate from Tole to safer areas. Many individuals had to move to new locations, which required them to enroll their children in new schools, leading to a decline in their capital as they spent their resources on securing housing for their families.

 With the gradual restoration of stability in Tole, many residents, including Charity, have returned, but they face significant challenges in rebuilding their livelihoods. Charity is a single mother of two and received a seed capital of 80,000 FRS (approximately $129.62). Before the crisis, she invested 100,000 FRS (around $162.02) in purchasing unripe bananas, which yielded an average profit of 50,000 FRS (about $81.10) from her banana business. Unfortunately, the ongoing crisis forced her to cease operations, as traveling to remote farms for supplies became too dangerous and potential buyers were reluctant to purchase in Tole, which had become a designated red zone.

 Currently, Charity has shown remarkable resilience and determination to restart her business activities. She has secured 50,000 FRS (approximately $81.10) in capital through a loan from a njangi group ( a small meeting house where women come to save money and another person can take it as loan or small group where people contribute money and give to one person) she established during her previous business endeavors. Her monthly contribution to the njangi is 10,000 FRS (approximately $16.20), and she has successfully repaid her loan. Charity is now actively operating her business again.

 She expresses her gratitude by saying, “Thanks to the training provided by Reach Out Cameroon, I have effectively managed my business and prioritized my savings. If Reach Out Cameroon had not identified me and offered start-up capital, I would have faced dire circumstances. Their continuous support and the invaluable instruction I received during follow-up sessions inspired me to persist in my entrepreneurial pursuits. I have a deep interest in business, and I am confident that one day I will become a successful businesswoman in Tole. I extend my heartfelt thanks to the donors and Reach Out Cameroon for empowering vulnerable women like me in Tole.”

Lizette, a returnee in Tole, initially engaged in the sale of used clothing, referred to locally as "Okrika," with a starting capital of 15000 FRS ( about $ 24.27). She expressed a desire to expand her business; however, her primary obstacle was the lack of financial resources and support. To procure inventory, she frequently traveled from Tole to the Muea market. Upon being identified by a social worker from Reach Out, Lizette developed a comprehensive business plan aimed at expansion.

Recognizing her entrepreneurial spirit, Reach Out provided her with business management training. With a capital investment of 80,000 FRS ($131.67) from Reach Out, Lizette successfully expanded her business, enabling her to purchase clothing bales at the cost of 150,000 FRS ($248.89).

Initially, Lizette and her husband experienced stable economic conditions. However, the outbreak of the Anglophone crisis significantly impacted their lives. After two years, circumstances deteriorated further when her husband became a target of suspicion regarding affiliations with a non-state armed group, as perceived by the armed forces.

In light of security concerns, the couple relocated to Mamu, a small village within the Fako division. During their time there, Lizette underwent a cesarean section and their primary source of income transitioned to vegetable farming. Tragically, Lizette's husband succumbed to poisoning, leaving her as the sole caretaker of their child.

In 2020, upon learning that stability had returned to Tole, she returned to the area and utilized her savings to re-establish her small clothing business. Additionally, she rented parcels of land to cultivate vegetables, which have been essential for her sustenance since her return. Lizette's rationale for returning to Tole was the existence of a substantial market and the relatively lower cost of living. Before the crisis, she had capital amounting to 150,000 FRS ($248.89) and consistently generated an average monthly profit of 50,000 FRS (approximately $49.74). Currently, her operating capital stands at 30,000 FRS (around $49.74), and she earns a monthly profit of 10,000 FRS (approximately $16.59) through sales at the Tole market and direct sales from her home. Despite the challenges she has faced,

Lizette remains optimistic that her circumstances will improve, allowing her to fulfill her aspirations of becoming a successful entrepreneur. She acknowledges that her current business viability is largely attributable to the training and support provided by Reach Out NGO, which instilled in her the significance of saving for unforeseen circumstances. This guidance has continually motivated her to persevere, reinforcing her belief that there is always hope, regardless of the situation.