Dare to Trust: Beneficiaries Tell Success Stories of Kebetkache's Empowerment Project
The Dare to Trust-initiative, led by Kebetkache Women Development & Resource Centre with support from Both ENDS, empowers individual women with support for their businesses and a sustainable income. The program has successfully supported 40 beneficiaries, enabling them to grow their businesses and skills without the need for formal proposals.
Kebetkache used its discretion to identify those most in need to start and expand small businesses. The initiative has significantly empowered the recipients primarily low-income earners and individuals from impoverished households allowing them to improve their financial situations and establish sustainable sources of income.
The initiative operates on a model of trust, allowing Kebetkache to disburse funds based on assessed needs. The beneficiaries utilized the support to start new businesses or enhance existing ones, leading to numerous success stories. Kebetkache emphasized the importance of expanding these businesses for long-term sustainability, stressing that the funds are not loans but are accessible through a cooperative for repayment.
During an interactive session, beneficiaries shared their experiences, expressing gratitude for the funds, which allowed them to start various enterprises, from fashion to agriculture. One beneficiary in Akwa Ibom State opened a pig farm and a shop, while another established a climate-smart agriculture group in Bayelsa, utilizing the funds for farming and fishing.
Challenges faced included pests in farming and the high cost of animal feeds. However, beneficiaries identified strategies for improvement, such as expanding their businesses, mentoring others, and participating in workshops. They emphasized the need for customer relations and branding to attract a wider clientele.
Overall, the Dare to Trust-initiative has proven to be a timely and impactful support system for the beneficiaries, fostering entrepreneurial spirit and community development.
Creative report: newspaper article and radio item
The only administrative duty for the beneficiaries of Dare to Trust was to end a creative report about the activities. Kebetkache used their contacts with local media to report about their work, resulting in an online newspaper article and a radio interview with director Emem Okon:
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