Loriane, 12

“My group has helped me to have more confidence in myself; I meet other girls with whom I share a lot of things.”

Diana, 34, Treasurer of her Group

“I am so proud and so grateful to be a member of my group and for all the support and lectures we receive. I am a housewife and I have not had the opportunity to go to school or to receive any training, I used to rely on my husband for every need. Now, I generate some income from the various designs of chains, bangles and other jewelry that I produce and I am able to support him in our home.”

Brendaline, 30

Brendaline received a microloan of $45 USD. She now has a vegetable and small food items stall. She supports her family, pays for necessary medication and her children’s education.

Sandra, 16

“I am a student. I was sponsored by the African Youth Alliance to learn how to produce jewelry with paper and plastic beads. I now volunteer to train other women and girls of the association. I love interacting with everyone and I am also happy to be able to generate some income.”

Martha, 23

“I am grateful for all the skills and mentoring I have received so far in my group. We have learned how to do various things, like making powder soap, body lotion, baking cakes, beads, and more. We discuss various subjects like goal setting and leadership that are very helpful for my personal development.”

Elizabeth, 25

“I am very excited about the computer training. A part from learning Word, Excel and Powerpoint, we learned how to use social media to advertise our products and to look for opportunities. I am so happy to have this opportunity to learn new skills, they will be very useful for my studies and small businesses I do.”

Yvonne, 35

Yvonne benefited from a microloan of $90 USD. She started a business where she rears and sells fowl. The credit assistance and her business has made it possible for her to support her husband in finishing the renovations of their house and her family, including payments for her children’s education.

In January 2018 Rockflower invested in a partnership with the Youth African Alliance in West Cameroon. The project was specifically designed to provide basic literacy and social entrepreneurship skills to highly marginalized young women with the outcome being potential for employment and improved quality of life. 70 women and girls are participating in three separate groups.

The groups meet twice a month and provide safe discussion spaces for the young women to improve their skills through peer mentoring.

These new skills include soap and body lotion production, arts and crafts, baking and the production of reusable sanitary pads. The girls have also been learning basic accounting and computer literacy which can be used for social entrepreneurship and school.

The overall dialogue has contributed to a sense of empowerment for the young women in being free to express challenges and offer solutions.

Check out our social media platforms to see firsthand accounts from members of the Youth African Alliance.

Instagram: @rockflowerfund

Twitter: @RockflowerFund

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