Fanning embers of possibility to flames of achievement

For Abdulkadir, a 28 year old resident of Kurna Asabe, Dala Local Government Area of Kano state, life was miserable because in his words “I did not have much to do. I was done with college but I had no skills. Life was a little miserable and difficult.”

Having graduated from college but with no means of livelihood and no money, Abdulkadir would go without eating for days. “I starved for several days at a time and was always thinking,” he said.

His dream was to be a teacher but he could not proceed to get the required certification due to lack of funds. Despite the setback, Abdul did not give up but continued to nurse his dream. His perseverance paid off, and  he found himself on a new path when he was introduced to the Girls Improving Resilience Through Livelihoods and Health (GIRL-H) program.

Participants on the program are usually nominated or verified by traditional or religious leaders (Bulamas, Lawans, or Hakimis) whose support is sought at the point of entry into the community.

Recalling the encounter that birthed change, Abdulkadir said, “I was at home when a friend informed me about Mercy Corps’ GIRL-H program. It was on the last day of the interview that I attended and luckily, I was selected.”

The program selects adolescents and indigent young people who have either dropped out of school or are unable to continue their education due to lack of funds. These young people have to be resident within the communities of implementation.

Upon joining the program, Abdulkadir was exposed to training on goal setting, time management, branding, packaging, business management, and the art of setting SMART goals.

He was presented with a list of skills he could be trained on and he chose printing.

“I had computer skills and it made me choose screen printing. I borrowed materials from a friend for work until I got financial support of NGN25,000.”

Abdulkadir’s business continued to grow because of his commitment and with time, he got mentees who he also trained in the art of screen printing. He says, “I was taught to focus on the future and not the present so I am stable now as my business has expanded. Some of my students have become so good that they can hold their own.”

His business growth is seemingly being hampered by economic challenges, leaving him with worries. This because of the constant increase in the cost of materials due to inflation.

“To sustain my business, I keep a third of my income for reinvestment into the business. This will ensure continuous availability of materials.”

Despite the lows from the economic challenges, Abdulkadir has also recorded some highs and gained traction in his business. Recounting this, he said “during the general elections, I got a contract to produce over fifty t-shirts.” This number is a lot for one who is only a few months old in his business.

Determined to forge against the odds, Abdulkadir is not resting as he said “I am being creative and innovative so that I can attract foreign partnerships.”

He also has long term plans for his business and lists them to include expansion, and self reliance for his students. He also hopes to move out of the space where he collocates with another entrepreneur into his own space.

Abdulkadir, whose dream of becoming a teacher has been actualized through the mentorship opportunity with his trainees, had this to say in appreciation, “words are not enough to thank Mercy Corps because I now have skills I never knew existed. I am valuable now and I am grateful.”

About the GIRL-H Program

Girls Improving Resilience through Livelihoods + Health (GIRL-H) is a Mercy Corps-implemented 36-month programme targeting adolescent girls, boys, and young people in Kenya, Uganda, Haiti and Nigeria. The programme aims to improve girls’ well-being by increasing their access to and uptake of life skills, health information, basic numeracy and literacy, and financial literacy, as well as foster pathways to formal education, economic opportunities, and civic engagement.

The overall goal of GIRL-H is that adolescent girls, boys, and young people experience improved well-being and increased access to educational, economic, and civic engagement opportunities, contributing to individual and household resilience.