Workforce Empowerment in Sierra Leone

We are delighted to share with you a video from a previous training session.  

In this video, participants at a Develop Africa Business and Microfinance Training session share what they have learned from the training. They discuss pitfalls, previous mistakes made and ways in which they can improve their business - through disciplined spending and better cash management.

The business training component is a key part of the support you help to provide.  Our goal is to ensure that the businesses receive the best support enabling them to be successful.

The review and peer discussion session that you can see breifly in the video provides a great additional component - helping to ensure that the principles and best practices are both understood and personally applied.

Your support makes these training and review sessions possible as we endeavor to fully empower small businesses to succeed.  We deeply appreciate your support.

Links:

• Participant Discussion of Lessons learned

In the last report, we intriduced you to Hawanatu (Hawa for short), a single mother, small business owner who benefitted from the funds YOU donated.  The funds helped her restart her business - where she buys rice by the bag and then retails it.  Buying rice retailed in this way is common for people who do not have the resources to buy a full-sized bag

We talked a bit further with Hawa - and she was full of gratitude.  We also got the opportunity to see her in action - where she sells rice and chats with a customer.  Be sure to watch the video as you can see some local color- scenery from Wellington, a suburb of Freetown, Sierra Leone.

In the video, Hawa says a big "Thank You" to YOU for your support.  Your kindness helped make it possible for her to purchase the rice and restart her business. Because of YOU she is now happy, busy and back in business.  She is now able to provide for herself and her children. Thanks so much for helping her get back on track.

This Wednesday June 25th is Bonus Day and YOUR donation of any amount - up to $1000 - will be matched dollar for dollar by Microsoft YouthSpark, YOU can help us continue to provide a hand up and microfinance funds for people like Hawa.

Beginning Wednesday at NOON (EDT) until funds run out or June 26th at 11:59 AM, your donation will be DOUBLED allowing for an even bigger impact together!  Thank you helping us to secure the matching funds that will make a huge difference in the lives of small businesses in Africa!

Links:

• Video of Hawa Saying Thanks