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.”