Economic Growth Sierra Leone Project #2492

Workforce Empowerment in Sierra Leone

by Develop Africa, Inc.

Project Report | Oct 10, 2010
Thanks to YOU - Dignity and Self-Esteem Restored!

By Sylvester Renner | Project Leader

Monday, next to her stall

Warm greetings from the Develop Africa Team

Each new day we are excited about the impact we are making together. We are delighted to provide you with this field update:

A total number of fifteen (15) beneficiaries are currently enrolled in the microfinance /micro credit scheme. This scheme has been of tremendous helping parents to support their families and meet additional costs of education. Here's a heart-warming testimonial from one of the female beneficiaries, Monday Bangura.

Monday Bangura is a new, female microfinance beneficiary who joined the scheme in January this year. Monday has three children and her husband is a temporary vehicle driver. More often than not he is without a job. Christiana, Monday’s eldest child is a beneficiary of Develop Africa's scholarship scheme.

In her own words: "I had difficulty providing daily school lunch for Christiana as well as taking care of the other children out of the meager proceeds of peanuts sale I was engaged in. The microfinance support has helped me to expand my business, generate more income and enroll my second child in school. I am very grateful to GlobalGiving and Develop Africa for your support. Indeed, you have restored my dignity and self-esteem in the community. I can now send my children to school with enough food to eat. I thank you very much”.

Thanks donors for helping to restore her dignity and self-esteem. The impact of your donations is powerful and priceless!

Let's impact many more lives together.... We invite you to make a donation today or be sure to include us in your end-of-year-giving plans.

Our very best wishes

Monday preparing food for sale

Monday and her family

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Jun 8, 2010
The teaching was excellent...

By Sylvester Renner | Project Leader

Microfinance Beneficiaries 2010

“The teaching was excellent...”

This was one of the feedback comments received at the end of the three-day training session which took place in Freetown, Sierra Leone (21st–23rd January, 2010). The training included teaching sessions, engaging in practical manufacturing, buying and selling exercises, steps in developing a business plan, reviewing the petty cash book etc. The training helped them appreciate their own strengths and weaknesses and to build the critical business skills they need to ensure the success in their enterprise.

Training also focused on providing essential business principles and perspectives such as: • The eight principles of working together • How to accept each others views and arrive at a win/win situation • Embracing change • The 4 cunning behaviors that may lead to failure • The 10 personal entrepreneurial competencies

EVALUATION: Feedback from the participants was as follows:

• The teaching was excellent. • We made new friends – the other beneficiaries • The training was very necessary to start do a business • The patience of the facilitator in teaching • Different ideas on business • The food and venue • The experience sharing session.

What did you gain from the Workshop?

• The fun and company of all. • Experiencing new ideas • Encouragement to run the business well. • Friendship • Learning to take note of business ideas, skills and problems experienced in our daily business life. • How to estimate Budget and Develop a Business Plan • The 8 Principles of working together • The 4 cunning behaviors • The Personal Entrepreneurial Competencies and examples given to explain them better.

What is your wish?

• To get success in business • To put loan into good practice. • God’s guidance and blessing for Develop Africa. • Loan to be doubled. • The group remains committed. • Good health and strength to manage the business.

Below is a link to a video from one of the Microfinance beneficiaries. In this video, Rugiatu, one of Develop Africa's Microfinance beneficiary’s expresses her profound gratitude to donors and God for providing funds that she has used to expand her business. Rugiatu is a single mother of three children, living in Freetown Sierra Leone. Her business is food preparation and sales - usually rice and a soup / sauce. She was one of the pioneers of Develop Africa's Microfinance and business training program.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=576bk8UGprA

Thanks you for your continued support. We welcome your feedback. Please share this report with your friends through email, Facebook, etc.

best wishes

Sylvester

Links:

Rugiatu expresses her appreciation

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Dec 8, 2009
Video - Impact of Your Donations

By Sylvester Renner | President

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