In recent months we have been able to build again on the enormous success of our Economic Empowerment for Education Project. A further 75 destitute internally displaced women, now living in Yaounde and Bamenda, have been selected to benefit from SHUMAS’ small business training programme. Today (18th September 2024) the trained women in Yaounde will receive the start-up materials for their various small businesses and they will be able to start trading in the next few days. Most of these businesses will be centred on buying/selling popular essential consumables in their local areas (vegetables, firewood, charcoal etc): others will be opting to cook street-food or snacks. These businesses tend to generate a good income, which will mean that the women will be able to feed their families, pay their rent AND, most importantly, be able to send their children to school.
Psycho-social support has been included in the training package, as the majority of these women have suffered significant trauma due to the current war, that has caused them to flee from their villages to live in the cities for safety. Over the next three months, these new businesses will be closely monitored by SHUMAS staff and the women will be supported while their businesses become established. Supportive self help groups will also be established. Over the coming year, the children’s progress in school will also be monitored to see if they are thriving.
The training programme for the women living in Bamenda has been delayed a little because of an extended lock-down in the city, imposed as part of the war restrictions. Training is due to start on 23rd September.
This has been a very successful project which has already seen more than 200 women trained and operating thriving small businesses, regaining their self esteem and feeling able to send their children to school again. We are so proud to have been able to fund these projects – thanks to the generosity of our supporters.
The cost of training each woman and buying their start-up materials as well as necessary school items for the children is £170. If you think you would like to support this project please make your donation through the Donate button on our website. Remember, every single penny donated to our charity goes directly to the projects with no deductions.
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