Change a Girl's Life Through Microentrepreneurship

“Before the crisis, I had a well-established tailoring workshop with 2 apprentices”, Cecilia a 33 years old mother of 4, internally displaced in 2019 from Kwa Kwa Bole as a result of the Anglophone crisis narrates. “But my workshop was burnt down and life became difficult when my husband relocated to Limbe as a result of the insecurity and hostilities towards men in Kwa Kwa”

In 2020, after living in the bush for about 6 months, Cecilia decided to move to Kumba the chief town of Meme division with her 4 children. "While in Kumba, I was stranded because I had no source of income and I relied on goodwill to survive with the children”.

After so many searches, Cecilia was lucky to meet a seamstress for whom she served as a salesperson for over 7 months. Coupled with proceeds from working on peoples’ farms, Cecilia was able to make a living for herself and her children. With proceeds from her salesperson job, $30 (15,000 FRS) monthly, she was able to save about $80 (40,000 FRS) within 7 months which she used to acquire a fairly used sewing machine. While still serving her employer, she was able to make her own dresses and sell them.

In August 2021, Reach Out Cameroon identified Cecilia as a beneficiary of our Poverty Graduation Scheme. She was trained on entrepreneurship and bookkeeping after which she was provided with a grant of $60 (30,000 FRS). The grant enabled her to secure a shop in the Kumba main market for a monthly rent of $10 (5,000frs). “I paid the rent for two months for the shop, and then I bought materials and other accessories with the balance”.

After 6 months of continuous monitoring, supportive supervision, and entrepreneurship coaching from Reach Out’s social worker, Cecilia, was able to make an average monthly profit of 23,430 frs with an average capital of 51,000 FRS. “With this business, I am sure of a square meal for my children and me, our bills are settled with ease now. In 2021, I registered my children in school and I am happy because I can afford their school fees and above all I am psychologically stable now”.

In March 2022, pleased with her resilience, savings habit, adherence to bookkeeping and desire to grow, Reach Out gave Cecilia an expansion grant of $100 (50,000 FRS) which she used to purchase another sewing machine and added the number of fabrics in her stock. "There are many girls who come here to learn this trade but because I had just 1 machine, I could not have an apprentice. I am so glad now because with this additional machine I will be privileged to train another girl like me too".

Cecilia is just 1 among the 100 vulnerable women and young girls who Reach Out Cameroon with support and donations from GlobalGiving is currently supporting economically through micro-businesses in the South West region of Cameroon. Her success story is one that speaks to the resilience and journey of a thousand mothers like her living in the conflict-affected North West and South West regions of Cameroon who despite the odds are determined to break out of poverty and make a living for themselves and their children. And we are pleased to accompany her through our Poverty Graduation Scheme.