Empower Survivors through Microentrepreneurship

This report which covers the period ranging from our last report to this date saw a number of adjustments and advancement in our efforts to advance our counter trafficking movement and facilitate sustainable rehabilitation of victims.

During the period being reported, staff, volunteers of GLOWA program participants reflections on ways to improve the program. The first adjustment was no renamed the center. The GLOWAHaus was chosen as the new name of our rehabilitation and stabilization center. This name was chosen based on the functions being assigned to the center.

The eleven (11) participants in the trafficking rehabilitation initiative and the microentrepreneurship project was trained on online marketing. This one-day training centered on taking appropriate pictures of items on sale and posting the online. They were also schooled on building online networks and introduced to working with influencers.

Another achievement of GLOWAHaus within the period under review was the acquisition of a new space. GLOWAHaus was transferred to a more spacious location. GLOWA Haus has continued to grow with the introduction of childcare into its recovery program. More than 80% of the participants on our recovery programs have babies. In order to facilitate the recovery of the moms and foster bonding with their babies, GLOWA introduced a child care section in GLOWAHaus. This section which is still being developed presently has a common sleeping space for the kids. Program participants take turns to look after the five toddlers in the childcare section. GLOWA is actively looking to toys and other play materials for the children.

Together with other participants of GLOWA rehabilitation program, the beneficiaries of our micro-entrepreneurship program were empowered with skills in digital marketing. During a one-day training they participated in session on techniques of shotting pictures for online marketing and posting items online including Facebook, WhatsApp status and building an online marketing network.

Uncle Mike completed the repayment of is interest free loan during the period under review. This facilitated the admission of a new member Siri (name changed) into the program during the period under review. She is marketing dresses and other fashion item online.

GLOWA is working on improving the program through partnership with a micro-finance establishment in Bamenda. Reflections are focusing on making a micro-finance establishment take over the administration of the revolving loan scheme

The Survivors Micro Entrepreneurship Program has continued to grow as we recently identified and supported a new participant. A new member has just joined the team of micro entrepreneurs benefiting from the program and the generosity of our donors. The new business initiative is a meat grill attached to a beer parlor commonly known in Cameroon as Soya. The team at GLOWA organized an interactive session with active small business individuals to share experiences with the program participants this quarter.

The repayment of start-up capital is progressing though with challenges from some of our earliest participants. GLOWA is exploring the options of starting and operating a separate account for the project with a micro finance establishment in Bamenda.

We are glad to inform you that our program recently graduated one of it participants. From the onset of the program, Wilma opted  to start with taking sewing classes instead of pursuing a business We are glad to inform our valued supporters that thanks to your generous support, she recently graduated from the sewing classes she opted to take. The Program was also able to buy her a manual sewing machine. She is presently being mentored to start her own sewing business. We shall continue to count on your generous support to further empower Wil and others in her situation to become an inspiration to other young women in their communities and also be a frontline child trafficking abolitionists.

Dear Valued Supporter,

We are excited to communicate with you through this report to be able to give you an idea of what has changed in our efforts to Empower Survivors through Micro-entrepreneurship. Your generosity has enabled us to continue to give visibility to our project and build the capacity of our program participants in public speaking and marketing techniques. Wily who opted to be trained in sewing is doing great and should be graduating in the coming months.

During the period under review, our small business development officer finished the mentorship period with Uncle Mike (pseudo name) to develop a business to sell roasted meat commonly known in Cameroon as Soya. He subsequently received a start-up capital of XAF100,000 from our revolving loan scheme thanks to your generous support. We organized a hands-on training with our participants on online marketing and cultivating customership.

Our major challenges so far has been the limited resources to admit many other deserving participants into the program due to limited funds. start a road side grille (Soya Business). One of our participant is preparing to graduate from sewing

We continue to count on your generosity for the project to continue to grow its impact.

With much appreciation from

-GLOWA Team-