How A Mite Propelled Gombe Based Widow, Jamila, From Cash Distress To Employer Of Labour
The Oasis Reporters
July 30, 2021
By Bamidele Ademola-Olateju
There are times you give just a little mite, and that little you gave, gains ground in ways one never imagined.
There are times too, you give big, and big becomes nothing.
It was February 2020, shortly before Covid-19 hit, a friend on Facebook gave Circle of Hands, a million naira to assist Widows, who are struggling financially in petty trading. A group of Widows were given between N35, 000 – N100, 000.
We tried selecting widows from across the country. The Pastor of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Jesus House in Gombe, referred two widows, one of which is a Muslim. Early this week, the plan was to call all the beneficiaries and ask how they are doing in their businesses.
This morning, I checked on two beneficiaries from Gombe state. Only one of them seemed to be doing well. Her name is Jamila.
When I asked Jamila what she needed to get out of poverty, she said N15k (fifteen thousand naira. A dollar is slightly above 500 naira) Roughly put, 15k should amount to about $30. She wanted to sell bean cakes every morning. She promised me, she could save up to N500 daily, (about $1 a day). Well, we gave her N35k.
Jamila has bloomed! She is now an employer of six people. She uses 15 Kongos ( measures) of flour to make Danwake (a local delicacy which doubles up as staple in Nigeria’s north) daily. She also cooks rice and beans for sale.
The other lady may need to up her game, and become more goal oriented. Her compelling circumstances, made us take a chance on her at the initial stage. She hasn’t improved yet.
While there is the hope that she will catch her groove in the circle of business, Jamila has become a remarkable success. I feel so proud and rewarded. I am actually walking on cloud right now. I’m so happy. I was sent a picture of her at work this morning.
To our donor, this is a toast to your generosity, kindness and thoughtfulness. May we continue to be of service to humanity. Wow!
Written by Bamidele Ademola-Olateju
