Entrepreneurship Skills Training for Young Women

GPI Calabar graduated 143 girls and young women from GPI’s weekly safe space lesson programme, the entrepreneurship skills training programme, and the media academy on August 27 2016. Out of this number, 34 girls graduated from the fish farming, shoe-making and sewing skills training.

These out-of school young girls between the ages of 15 to 25 years, began the entrepreneurship skills training in July 2015 under Batch 4. They passed through a rigorous training on the afore-mentioned skills for 6 months after which they were placed in different business organizations for 3 months internship. The fish farming training covered Stocking Fingerling; Construction and Cleaning of Fish Pond; Types of Feed; Managing a Fish Pond and Identifying Ailing Fingerlings.

On sewing some girls learned how to make different kinds of dress including gowns, jackets and skirts. Training on shoemaking covered production of pams, slippers, sandals and covered shoes. These shoes and dresses are sold to GPI staff members and members of the public to generate income for the girls and organization.

Stories of knowledge gained, skills acquired and income generated from sales of products were shared by some girls. These stories show impact of the entrepreneurship training on graduates.

Before the 6-month entrepreneurship, Peace could not make any shoe. She makes female slippers and sandals after the training and internship programme. On her earnings and plans she said “I have earned over N10,000 from sales of 12 pairs of shoe. I plan to set up a shoemaking business in future. “ Peace

 “I have made more than N7,000 from sales of shoe during the entrepreneurship training which was used to support my transport cost to the centre. Before the internship I had the challenge of making covered shoes. During my internship I made 4 slippers, 4 sandals and 1 covered shoe for my boss which were sold to customers.”  Stella

Caroline made more than 10 different kinds of dress for herself before starting her internship programme. She is now one of the graduates utilizing GPI’s creative commune. In appreciation she said “I thank GPI for the opportunity to learn this skill.”       Caroline

Affiong could only use her hands to stitch materials before the entrepreneurship skills training. She can now sew different styles of skirt and blouse. She has made more than 25 dresses for over 9 months and earned more than N20,000. “I plan to open a shop to learn more styles and meet customer needs” she said. Affiong

Blessing has made more than 20 pairs of unisex slippers since she started acquiring the skill. She has recorded huge improvement in cutting and filing. To further improve her shoe-making skills she said “I will learn more on making covered shoes after my internship.”     Blessing

Blessing A., who could not design and cut materials for shoemaking can now make male and female slippers and covered shoes. “I have made and sold more than 20 pairs of shoes earning more than N20,000. I intend to enrol for the University Matriculation Examination and buy some shoemaking tools from the proceeds” she said.      Blessing A.

 After 6 months training, Jennifer has made more than 20 pairs of sandals and slippers for males and females earning more than N10,000. She said “I desire to be perfect in making covered shoes. Also while planning to set up a business place, I intend to continue learning from other experts.”    Jennifer

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Obasesam Ikpi is a 24 year old entrepreneur who is eager to share what she has learned in the Girls’ Power Initiative (GPI) Entrepreneurship Skills Training program. From an early age she was interested in handicrafts and creating wearable products. Through her family she learned how to work with Ankara (traditional West African printed fabric), covering shoes with the fabric. Her mother also taught her to how to make beads, and helped her sell some of the products she made. When Obasesam heard about GPI’s entrepreneurship program in 2014 she wasn’t sure whether the sewing or shoe-making classes would be of more interest to her, but settled on the shoe-making classes. Obasesam demonstrated her commitment to the program, juggling her final year of school classes with the GPI program.

When purchasing supplies during her internship, the men from the shoe making field that Obasesam often interacted with were surprised to discover that she made shoes. Obasesam does report that shoe-making can be a very dirty business! Even when she wears protective wear she sometimes gets her clothes dirty.....and it’s impossible to do the work with fake fingernails which is the style of many young Nigerian women. Anyway, she kept in contact with the men who owned shoe-making businesses, and visited them in their shops, learning new techniques from them. In steadily building up her customer base since her internship, Obasesam now reports that she makes more money at the end of a month than the average civil servant in Nigeria does.

When GPI asked Obasesam to be a resource person for the new batch of students learning shoe-making through the Entrepreneurship Skills Training program she was pleased to accept. She says, “I feel privileged to impart knowledge to trainees. I am someone who is interested in given out knowledge gained for the benefit of others so there will be space to get more. For me, it is fun to impart knowledge to the girls. I try as much as possible to give them all I have so that if possible they could do better than I am doing.” She has improved upon the course since being a student in the program herself, ensuring that all of the shoes produced by the girls in her class are of high enough standard to attract buyers. She also recognizes the importance of evaluation, and makes sure that there is time for the girls to discuss their challenges and offer input to improve the course.

Obasesam and her class of 35 girls have finished 2 months of the 6 month Entrepreneurship Skills Training program (which will be followed by a 3 month internship). The girls in her class are also learning fish farming. In this fifth batch of students in the program there are also 40 students learning sewing and fish farming skills. GPI is proud to have Obasesam as an example of what an ambitious young woman can do if they are given the opportunity to excel. Thank you for partnering with GPI to empower more young women who are inspired by what Obasesam has accomplished.