Change a Girl's Life Through Microentrepreneurship

Justine is an internally displaced person from Balangie and a single mother of three who relocated to Bomaka, a small community in the Buea Fako region of the South West Region, due to the ongoing Anglophone crisis in Cameroon. Before the onset of the crisis, Justine maintained a peaceful existence as a farmer, cultivating various crops, including egusi, yams, and cassava. This agricultural endeavor enabled her to generate an average monthly income of 50,000($80.38) during harvest periods while pursuing vocational training.

Justine and her family sought refuge in the bush adjacent to their farms as the crisis escalated. The situation deteriorated further in 2018 when their residence was destroyed by fire, and the surrounding farms became increasingly perilous, compelling them to migrate to Buea, where they received shelter from a relative.

Upon their arrival in Muea, Justine encountered considerable difficulties in providing for her children, necessitating employment on other farms for sustenance. Eventually, a family acquaintance introduced her to the onion trade, which involved acquiring onions from wholesalers and making payments contingent upon her daily sales performance. During this challenging period, Justine was fortunate to be identified by a social worker from the organization Reach Out.

In January, Justine participated in an intensive three-day training program that emphasized bookkeeping, entrepreneurship, savings, and small business management. Following her training, she received an initial grant of 57,200 FRS ($91.96), which allowed her to expand her business operations by adding half a bag of garlic to her onion inventory.

In July, having completed a refresher course, she obtained a second-level grant amounting to 114,400 FRS ($183.92). This funding facilitated further growth, enabling her to acquire two bags of onions (totaling 120,000 FRS, $192.92), half a bag of garlic (65,000 FRS, $104.50), half a bag of okra (7,500 FRS,$12.06), and a bag of jigger (5,500 FRS, $8.84). Consequently, Justine has been able to provide better care for her family, alleviating the stress associated with her children's education.

One of the primary challenges she encounters in her business is the sporadic receipt of spoiled onions from suppliers, which complicates her operational processes. Nevertheless, she has successfully maintained a monthly profit of approximately 50,000 FRS ($80.38). Justine has expressed her profound gratitude for the training she received, acknowledging its role in enhancing her business management skills and improving her customer relations in the marketplace.

Through the financial support she has obtained, Justine's family now experiences an improved quality of life, free from the anxiety of food insecurity. She can meet her rental obligations comfortably, and thanks to the establishment of a savings account, she has resources available for emergencies, such as health issues affecting her children.