Her first business, 12 years after her husband passed

February 12, 2021 will make it exactly 12 years since Toyin Olurebi’s husband passed. But she still speaks of him like he was in the other room separated from us by the curtain hanging from the door. 

When she tells you of the events that led to his death, you would think it was last week or maybe last month. 

It’s always so vivid. 

“Remi was just 3 months old in my womb that morning he left us.” 

Remi

When she says this, she pauses and looks up first then down at her fingers. 

In a way, the family stood still after the father moved on to be with God. 

She was a housewife who ran the family with money from the husband. And for 12 years since the death, the family still depended - now - on their pastor and the church. 

For food, for school fees, for health, for clothing - they depended on the generosity of the church. 

In August, we invited Mrs Toyin Olurebi into our Microloan program for women.  After the business and financial literacy classes, we gave her a small loan to begin a business. 

Few days after, she called and said,

“I can’t do this. Come and take your money back.”

But a member of our team, Tosin, who was working with her replied her:

“No, I won’t collect it back. Look for what your neighbors need”. 

Tosin (Sharing Life Africa) & Mrs Toyin

Well, she did. 

Today, Toyin sells rice and she’s really great at it. Starting from one bag the first week to three bags in the third week, now she has even more and is known in the neighborhood as the woman who sells rice. 

12 years after the death of her husband, the family can now stand on its two feet again. The children are back in school, books bought sand tuition cleared. All paid in full by the mother. 

Mrs Toyin Olurebi and her children

Mrs Toyin Olurebi’s story is reflective of the many stories of women in low-income communities striving everyday without a support system.

Today is #GivingTuesday, a day we give back. Consider donating to our campaign to get more women like Mrs Toyin access to knowledge, capital, and a community of people that will ensure her economic independence and a chance to quality education for her children.