Microfinance program restores a family's hope

Aminata Conteh is the caregiver of two children enrolled in CRC programs, Samuel and Abubakarr.  Aminata qualified for the CRC’s microfinance training program through her ongoing commitment to the CRC and her family’s extreme financial vulnerability.   She completed the training, was presented with a certificate and given a small loan to launch or revive a business.

Aminata did well in the microfinance training, and has been able to realize her potential upon graduating, receiving her microloan and setting up her small business.  She discovered that with the lessons she’d learned, she could be a good businesswoman, make a profit, save for emergency purposes and better support her children.

Members of the CRC staff recently visited her at her market stall to check on the progress of her business and microloan repayment. Aminata shared that prior to her participation in the microfinance training, her small business had failed as a result of poor management, and lack of understanding of simple budgeting skills. Discouraged, she had given up the business, and sat at home for some time, unsure of how to find success.

​The class has taught Aminata how to manage her money much better, and now she is able to budget her money, save, and plan for the future to both grow her business and eventually gain her financial independence. With the small loan of approximately $90, she reestablished her market business, and is now making and even saving money.  “Since I have launched my business again, I am doing well as a result of the training, “ Aminata says.