Sustainable Businesses
Village Aid's programme on securing livelihoods aims to create jobs, income and food for those living in challenging circumstances through enterprise training, micro-credit support and support with sustainable agriculture.
Many of our beneficiaries are unable to get loans from the local banks as they do not have any assets. Village Aid provides loans and business training to communities where there is high unemployment. We support people who are determined to become independent and who want to make a positive difference in their lives.
MBOSCUDA
Aishatu Madam is a member of the Bamenda town group in Cameroon. She had never engaged in any form of income generating activity of her own before joining the group. Through the support of MBOSCUDA, she has undergone dress making training and now owns a dress making workshop at the market in Bamenda.
The MBOSCUDA micro-credit scheme provided her with a loan of £400. She used it to buy a sewing machine and materials to start up her business. With the knowledge gained from literacy circles, she is also able to take measurements and keep good records for her business.
Aishatu Madam is a widow with one child whom she can now put through school with the profits she makes from her business. Her workshop is also used as a training centre for Mbororo women wishing to learn and engage in the trade.
SLYEO
Madam Mahawa is part of a group run by our partner SLYEO, in Mafolatha village, Sierra Leone. The group received vegetable seeds and agricultural tools and cultivated hot pepper and raised goats. Madam Mahawa's suffered a great deal during the civil war, "I separated from my husband with five children, all I could focus on was finding food for my family everyday."
Since joining the group, Madam Mahawa said she felt she belonged to a family. Her gardens have been profitable and she has been able to save some money, pay her bills and the school fees of her five children.