Change a Girl's Life Through Microentrepreneurship

Glory, a widow with five children, had a successful salon business in Barombi-Kang before the Anglophone crisis began in 2016. Despite the violence in the area, she was making a profit of at least ($49) 30,000frs per month. However, the frequent shootings and killings caused her to flee to Kumba in Meme division, south west region of Cameroon. where the situation was still not safe and decided to move to Muea  a community in  Fako division in the southwest West Region of Cameroon. Before moving to Muea,she sold everything in her salon at a low price to settle her debts.

Once she arrived in Muea, she relied on food and gifts from relatives. To survive, she did various odd jobs, including manual labor. With the little money she saved, she built a small shed for her new salon business, but she did not have enough money to equip it properly. She could only use the materials that people gave her, which resulted in low profits as she didn't have the necessary equipment. After five months, her salon caught fire, leaving her with nothing to start over with. Despite this setback, she continued her salon in her one-room space.

During the door-to-door identification process by the Reach Out social worker, Glory was selected for the project. She received training on Sexually Reproductive Health Rights, Entrepreneurship, Bookkeeping, and Savings. With the first-level grant of ($94) 57200 FRS, she bought attachments and other equipment for her salon. The Reach Out social worker encouraged her not to give up on her business and to keep saving during regular monthly business coaching sessions. After receiving her second-level grant of ($188) 114400, since she was working from home and didn't have sufficient space, she utilized  part of the second grant to rent a store and used part to buy more attachments and equipment for her salon. this made her gain more customers and made lot of profit.

 She earns  an average monthly income of ($411) 250,000 FRS and makes a profit of ($94) 57,000 FRS monthly.

“I received support and encouragement that enabled my salon business to thrive, resulting in a growing customer base. As a result, I am now capable of taking care of my children without relying on others for assistance. Additionally, I was able to purchase a TV set, a blender, and other necessary household equipment. I am immensely grateful to Reach Out and its partners for bringing a smile to my face and improving my life.” Said Glory .