Change a Girl's Life Through Microentrepreneurship

Irene is a returnee in Tole and a dedicated married woman with three children. Before the Anglophone crisis, she lived in Tole with her husband, who worked menial jobs to support their family. Facing financial challenges, Irene started a small jewelry business with an initial capital of 20,000 FRS ($31.87), which limited her ability to grow. In 2015, Reach Out NGO conducted a social inquiry during their outreach in Tole to empower young girls and women who wanted to start or expand their businesses but lacked the necessary funding. Irene was identified as a promising beneficiary and was selected to participate in training alongside other vulnerable women and girls. The comprehensive training included essential topics such as bookkeeping, sexual and reproductive health rights, savings, and entrepreneurship. With a generous grant of 80,000 FRS (about $127.50), Irene was able to expand her business significantly. Initially earning an average monthly income of 20,000 FRS ($31.87), wasn't enough to meet her family's needs. However, after receiving an initial capital boost of 30,000 FRS ($47, 81), she increased her overall capital to 50,000 FRS ($79). This improvement allowed her to earn an average monthly income of 10,000 FRS ($15.94), providing vital financial assistance for her household, including food. Irene's commitment to her business paid off after six months, when Reach Out NGO granted her an additional 50,000 FRS ($79.69). This funding enabled her to attract more customers and achieve further growth. Though Irene faced challenges during a temporary move to Douala in the western region of Cameroon, she persevered and returned to Tole when life became difficult there. Thankfully, she had safeguarded her business items at home and only needed to purchase a few additional supplies from Douala to restart her operations. In addition, she expanded her offerings by incorporating clothes into her business. Thanks to the invaluable training and ongoing monthly business coaching from Reach Out, Irene has thrived in her entrepreneurial journey. She has successfully sustained her business with her savings and Njangi group support. Today, Irene proudly identifies as a supportive wife and mother, all thanks to the encouragement and resources she received from Reach Out years ago. Her story is a testament to resilience, growth, and the power of community support.