Change a Girl's Life Through Microentrepreneurship

Sharon is a 25 years old  girl who was forced to move from Ekona one of the most hard hit conflict affected towns in Fako divisions of the South West region. In 2018, she moved to Muea a relatively safer town compared to Ekona. Having no relative to offer her shelter, she squatted with her boyfriend whom she was displaced with. Along the line her boyfriend impregnated and abandoned her. Life became more difficult for her as she had no stable source of income. While in Ekona, Sharon depended on menial jobs for survival. After seeing the hardship coupled with the difficult pregnancy, a relative offered her shelter. After she put to birth, Sharon engaged in menial jobs once more and this time more determined than ever so as to support herself and her new born baby.

After 1 year, Sharon had saved $200 (100,000 CFA) which she used to rent a room of $10 (5000 CFA) monthly. She paid 10 months rents $100 (50,000FRS). Determined to have stable source of income, Sharon used the balance of $100 (50,000 FRS) to start a business of cooked food. Due to so much dependency on the business coupled with the slow nature of the crisis affected economy, the business could barely survive.

In June 2022, during a door to door identification process, Sharon was identified by Reach Out social worker in Muea. She was administered the social inquiry form, she was selected among the 100 beneficiaries after passing through a vulnerability selection process. With her first grant of $114 (57,000 CFA) she operated a small provision store at the road side where she rented a space for $10 (5000FRS) monthly. “Though the turnover was not that bad, however the landlady was a whole lot of trouble. Before the month ends she is already at the place asking for money. After a while she asked me to leave the space that she wants to make use of it” said Sharon. With a monthly average capital of $130 (65000 FRS), and an average monthly profit of $50 (25000FRS) Sharon operated the business from home. After meeting the criteria such as the availability for follow up, book keep and savings Sharon received a second grant of $228 (114000 FRS). “The second grant enabled me to buy things such as ground nuts, garri and beans in bulk” said Sharon. She buys such goods in bags of 50kgs. One of the challenges Sharon is currently facing is the availability of space. She lack space to fully display her goods.  “This business has helped me regain my lost self-confidence, made me trust myself and reconcile with myself. I am glad i am able to give my child a decent life. I can ready access and afford drugs when my baby is sick, we eat 3square meals a day and I now own an account in a micro finance. Thanks so much for the assistance” Said Sharon. With the knowledge she got from the trainings on entrepreneurship, book keeping and savings, Sharon is able to better monitor and evaluate her business. “The teachings I got on sexual reproductive health and rights have made me understand my system the more and am more careful now about my social life”.

There are still lots of women and girls out there who have lost their self-worth and are passing through other forms of violation and they need support. Sharon is just one of the 100 conflict acted women whom your donations have been able to restore their dignity and livelihood. Thank you so much for the donations.