Project

In a continuation of our Women’s Empowerment Project, we are pleased to support Enliven Mama Africa in helping another group of women develop fundamental skills to help support themselves and their families. For this project, we will be helping Enliven Mama Africa fund training for single mothers to learn soap and detergent making. The beneficiaries, at the end of the course, will also provided with the necessary capital and supplies to set up their own small-scale business.

Challenge

Financial constraint is one of the root causes of countless problems that Ghanaian society faces. Many have no means of livelihood; there are many reasons for this, but lack of access to education and marketable skills are primary factors.

Women tend to bear the brunt of these financial challenges. Most are denied any formal education, and in turn they do not have the opportunities available to them to gain marketable skills. Ghanaian society values practical competences such as sewing, hairdressing, soap making, detergent making, etc., however these require the women to enrol in courses and training programs most cannot afford, or indeed cannot fund the basic items required to start a business for themselves. This severe lack of opportunities for women has resulted in many engaging in sex work to afford to survive, which can lead to many unwanted pregnancies, diseases, and untold traumas. Basic education and access to training would help lift women out of poverty and open up more choices.

Solution

In partnership with Enliven Mama Africa, Sumillion will be funding 5 single mothers with training in how to make soap and detergent. The training will be undertaken in the areas of Afrancho and Kyekyewere in the Atwima Kwanwoma District. We will be investing in training for these women to make both soap and detergent, as well as providing the tools and supplies to begin trading for themselves.
Impact

By training these women with such valuable skills, they will be able to support a much better quality of life not just for themselves, but also their children and families. Long-term, it also proves to other women and young girls that societies and attitudes can change, and moreover that women are valuable members of this society – not only as people who make products, but as people who can run a successful business in a traditionally patriarchal society.