Workforce Empowerment in Sierra Leone

“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

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best wishes

Sylvester

Links:

• Rugiatu expresses her appreciation