Change a Girl's Life Through Microentrepreneurship

Florinda, a 20-year-old girl from Tombel, Cameroon, had her dreams of becoming a teacher shattered by poverty and the ongoing Anglophone crisis. Despite obtaining her ordinary-level certificate in 2019, her parents couldn't afford to send her to college. Their only source of income, a provision store, was destroyed during the crisis.

As the third child in a family of six, Florinda helped her parents with farm work to make ends meet. Two of her siblings were sent to live with relatives to continue their education. Florinda's life took a turn for the better when she was identified by a protection committee member during a door-to-door sensitization campaign against Gender-Based Violence.

In July 2024, Florinda attended a social cohesion activity organized by Reach Out at the women's and girls' safe space in Tombel. There, she received training in producing yogurt, groundnut sweets, cakes, and Fuleri, a locally produced drink. The training also covered topics such as GBV, STIs, business management, entrepreneurship, savings, and mental health.

With a newfound passion for entrepreneurship, Florinda drafted a business plan to sell yogurt, Fuleri, and cakes. She received startup capital of approximately USD 55 (30,000frs) and began making an average weekly profit of around USD 18 (10,000frs). This newfound income enabled Florinda to save money for school and rekindle her dream of becoming a teacher.

"This training has transformed my life," Florinda said. "I can now advise my younger siblings on how to navigate social challenges and STIs. I'm grateful for the support and plan to continue my business while pursuing my education. Thank you to the donors and Reach Out for empowering girls like me in our community."