Change a Girl's Life Through Microentrepreneurship

Kelly is 28 years old and is an internally displaced person (IDP) from Owe, currently living with her daughter in Muea. Before the Anglophone crisis began, life was going well for Kelly’s family. Her husband was a carpenter, and he used a motorcycle to supplement their income while Kelly worked as a farmer. However, when the crisis started, their lives became increasingly difficult as they could no longer work to meet their needs. The crisis forced her husband to stop his business, which made their situation unbearable. Nights were filled with fear; they had to sleep with their ears open. Often, they would hear gunshots in the middle of the night, prompting them to flee into the bushes for safety. Things worsened when their house was burned down, leaving them no choice but to leave the area.

Kelly received a call from a friend inviting her to join her in Muea a small community in Fako Division Southwest Region, which was safer than Owe. After relocating, Kelly moved to Muea with her daughter while her husband stayed behind. In Muea, she took on odd jobs to support herself, working on people’s farms, and on market days, she would help her friend sell goods. Her friend introduced her to selling tomatoes, which were sold for 5,000 FRS per basket. Lacking capital to start her own business, she took one basket on credit, sold it, and returned the money, using any profit to buy essentials for her daughter.

In 2020, Kelly was identified by a Reach Out social worker who was conducting business coaching for women entrepreneurs. The social worker took an interest in Kelly and conducted a needs assessment. Kelly was extremely vulnerable, living in a one-room space with five other people. Reach Out supported her through the Keep Girl Alive Project, providing her with a capital of 80,000 FRS (approximately $131.67), which allowed her to start her own business. She received coaching at her business site for one year. With this support, she managed to rent a room where she now lives with her daughter, gradually equipping her home with the little savings she made.

In October 2024, Reach Out NGO visited Kelly at her business site and was pleased to see her impressive growth. She now supplies tomatoes and retails them, having gained space in the market. “Thanks to the training I received, my business has flourished,” she said. “I make it a point to save every market day. My daughter and I are happy and thriving, even though her father has abandoned us. I have sent my daughter to school, and I now have a capital of 150,000 FRS (about $248.89) and can make an average monthly income of 40,000 FRS ($67.55). I am grateful for the support I have received, and may God bless the donors who continue to help single mothers like me.”