IMPACT REPORT: CREATING A BETTER FUTURE FOR WOMEN AND CHILDREN THROUGH ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT

At Sharing Life Africa, we firmly believe that the key to unlocking the future lies in building stronger societies where children and young people have access to a community that supports and inspires them to attain their highest possible potential.

This community with the power to unlock the future includes families, networks of mentors,  strong governance structures at the local and national levels, and vast networks of people of goodwill.

At the time of writing this report, the cost of some basic food items like rice, bread and beef have increased by about 20% and others by more than 200%. This is caused by a variety of factors: global inflation, increasing insecurity in the country as well as low exports and infrastructure gaps. This has caused the World Bank to warn that Nigeria may have one of the world’s worst inflation rates this year.

Figure 1: Nigeria Inflation rate

The worst hit by this increasing inflation are women, men, children and young people who come from the most marginalised communities. 

But there is hope.

In the past year, 50 women and their families have kept food on their tables 3 times a day; their businesses have thrived; their children have stayed in school, with some graduating this year; their well-being has improved regardless of the macroeconomy. This is due to the community support, business education and economic opportunity our programs have enabled. But this has only been possible due to the supports of generous donors and friends.

Impact Stories

The stories you will read here are representatives of over 40 women we have worked with in the past 12 months. These women lived below the poverty line without access to a stable income and the capacity to provide access to education or food for their families. Through these stories, you see an increment, not just in income but in the belief these women have in themselves; you witness a step forward, not to overflowing wealth but to economic security, and that persevering assurance that there will be food today, and tomorrow, in the morning, at noon, and before bed - for mother as well as children. 

Ajoke Ayokunle 

Ajoke had been in debt while running a small business of vegetables in western Nigeria to keep her family afloat. But she had been under stress and pressure from her debtors as well as the responsibilities of taking care of her family. 

Surprisingly, Ajoke said the highlight of being part of the Sharing Life Africa women empowerment program was not the access to finances or the financial training. It was the support she got from the team and other women entrepreneurs in her cohort. The program created a safe space for Ajoke from which she got the friendship and advice she needed to get out of debt and manage her mental and emotional health.

“Now, I can stand on my own. I work every day without stress or headaches. With Sharing Life Africa, I am happy. I can save without fear that someone is coming to take it away. I can boast of my business” - Ajoke

Funmi Jesuemimo

Funmi’s favorite part of the program was the training. She mentioned that she always ignored her customers but after the training, she began collecting customer phone numbers and would call them to say hi and remind them of her business. In a community-oriented village, this perspective and model made a lot of difference. Funmi, who only sold sachets of water has now grown her business to include beverages as well. 

“There was nothing in my shop before you gave me this money and training. Come and see what I’ve done to my business. My customer has increased and my goods have increased. My customer relations have also improved. I thank God I can now keep something aside every day for my savings” - Funmi

Bose Monday Glalgo

Bose buys fish from fishermen on the other side of her village. However, with the failing economy and increase in prices, she quickly fell into debt and her business suffered greatly. However, with business training and access to economic resources, she’s back on her two feet and is able to support her children.

“I didn’t have much in my life. I couldn’t buy fish. I couldn’t buy the oil to smoke the fish. I couldn’t support my children. But with the support given by Sharing Life Africa, my business is back again. I am free from debt and my children are back in school and have books, pencils, and good uniforms on their backs. I don’t know how you people do this, or where your strength comes from to support women like me. All I know is that you’re sent by God.” - Bose

Investing in the future

To invest in women in low-income communities, is to invest in the future of that community. A thread that runs through all our conversations with women in our program and all the impact stories we listened to, is that when women are uplifted, they uplift their children and in turn their families. 

Just like Ajoke, Funmi and Bose, there are 37 other stories of women whose lives have been transformed by access to this economic empowerment program that your gift has funded. Because of your generosity, they have another chance of building better businesses and living every day with a brighter smile.