Several women in the Sierra Leonean town of Koidu in the Kono District of the Eastern Region, have been sharing their testimonies about how their socio-economic lives have been transformed in the last few years following the disbursement of microloans to them under the Facilitated Collective Action Process (FCAP). But for FCAP, most of these women would not have any financial freedom and would probably be wallowing in abject poverty and become a burden on their families and society at large. Five beneficiaries of FCAP microloan in Koidu have been sharing their success stories about this intervention, which is being implemented by Advocates for Community Alternatives (ACA) in partnership with the Network Movement for Justice and Development (NMJD) in Sierra Leone.
ACA is an Accra-based non-profit-making organization that helps West Africa communities are threatened by the destructive impacts of extractives-led development to take control of their own futures while NMJD is a Sierra Leonean civil society organization that engages in advocacy and strengthens the capacity of civil society organizations to effectively engage women, men, children, communities, government and other actors for the transformation of society.
Here are excerpts of testimonies of five of the FCAP beneficiaries in Koidu whose lives have been impacted positively by the intervention and are currently using their skills acquired to impact the lives of other women in their respective communities.
Finda Moiwo 46years, 7 dependents
Life was extremely difficult for me and my family prior to my encounter with FACP. In fact, it was very challenging to even provide food at home.
Breaking stones for construction works was my main occupation but I was unable to make any reasonable income out of this to support the upkeep of my home primarily due to the lack of funds to acquire the requisite tools and get additional hands to undertake this business. 
I was therefore very excited to be part of the training organised for beneficiaries of the FCAP microloan. Before the grant was given to us, we were trained in strategies required to run a business and financial management skills, among others.
As a result, when the microloan was finally advanced to me, I was able to buy my working tools and hire additional casual staff to help in breaking more stones daily.
I can confidently say today that I’m now able to effectively take care of my children. I can say without any equivocation that the microgrant I received under FCAP has turned my fortunes around and I will encourage my colleague women who are currently benefitting from it to attach maximum seriousness to the project for their own good.
Alice Komeh, 56years, 7 dependents
I was engaged in backyard gardening (a mini farm), which obviously yielded a very small quantity of foodstuff. Life was difficult but there was nothing I could do because I didn’t have any capital to start any business. 
With as many as seven dependents, the FCAP microloan therefore came as a great relief as it enabled me to venture into trade. When I received the microloan, I quickly started trading in palm oil – both retail and wholesale.
My life has never been the same since I ventured into this business as I have no problem at all taking good care of my children and other dependents.
I am currently considering an expansion of the scope of my trade to include other items so I’m also looking at acquiring a shop that can accommodate my wares.
Fatu Finda Ali, 40 years, five (5) dependents
I have been into the palm oil business for quite some time. I was mainly into the sale of oil on a retail basis due to my low working capital. I was unable to trade in good quality palm oil because of my poor financial state and this led to low patronage of my products. I always wished to expand my business, but it remained a wish until the FCAP microloan came to my rescue. 
For me, the business training that preceded the microgrant was an eye-opener because it enabled me to quickly expand my business as soon as I accessed the grant. Also, the training inculcated in me the need to develop savings habit, which has secured my future against any possible eventualities.
Today, I’m now in the position to deal in good quality palm oil and vegetables and I’ve progressed from being a retailer to a wholesaler. Indeed, this intervention has led to an improvement in my standard of living, and I can take good care of myself and my children.
Mabel Sia Ellie, Seamstress & trader, 50years, 9 dependents
Even though I was working as a seamstress by profession, life was extremely difficult because of my low customer base. Only a few people used to frequent my shop to sew their dresses, and this really made life quite unbearable for me.
It was therefore heart-warming when the news came that FCAP was coming to my aid through a microloan. Together with other women in my community, ACA and NMJD took us through training on various business strategies, record-keeping, among others. The training equipped me with the requisite skills which have helped me to effectively manage my work.
I must say that in addition to my dress-making business, I’ve now added the sale of palm oil and other assorted items in my shop. This has really given me financial independence and enhanced my living conditions. 
The fact that there is no interest on the microloan makes it unique in my opinion. What really matter most are your time and dedication in attending meetings. I’m proud to say that I’ve started imparting the knowledge I gained during the training on others.
Esther Moiwa, 55years, 7 dependents
Before my encounter with the FCAP intervention, I was engaged in petty trade in assorted items. I could not keep any records of my business, and this really had a toll on sales and my entire work. I simply lacked the basic skills to keep any records.
However, upon the completion of the training given to us ahead of the disbursement of the microloan, I am now able to manage, maintain and keep proper records of my business.
Besides, there is vast improvement in my business because I’ve been able to add rice, oil, palm oil and other items. More importantly, I’m able to support my husband financially and gradually, I could realize that I’m becoming financially independent.
About FCAP
Advocates for Community Alternatives (ACA) is a non-profit-making organization devoted to championing the course of West African communities which are threatened by the devastating effects of extractive activities to chart a new path of development through various assistance.
One of the ways through which ACA supports communities to chart a new course of development and take control of their futures is through the Facilitated Collective Action Process (FCAP), a process developed and popularized in East Africa by Spark MicroGrants, a partner organization of ACA.
(This write-up was co-authored by Richard Boahen of ACA, Accra, Ghana, and Francess Finda Gbondo of NMJD, Kono District, Sierra Leone with support from FCAP team)
Commentaires récents