What is ProjectStart and Mumsbooth all about?
Project START by Mumsbooth is a programme that was borne out of the need to help women do something for themselves, empower them to start a business by training them on different skills: Vocational, entrepreneurial, digital and business skills. Not only do we train them, we follow them up and ensure they get started.
So how has the journey been, are your goals been met?
The first edition of our programme held on October 26, 2017 in Abuja, and we have since had 19 editions in major cities like Abuja, Kano, Uyo, Jos and even in Kampala, Uganda . We have also had several virtual sessions reaching many women across different cities in Nigeria and beyond.
So far, we have trained 1,246 women and 514 kids. I can proudly say that many of them have gone on to start their businesses as a result of our impact programmes. We also have an online community where we follow up with our women, push them, and train them further to help their businesses grow.
Talking About Pushing Their Businesses To Grow, How Is That Done?
We go the extra mile to source for soft loans and grants for our women to help their businesses and also provided starter kits to help them get started with their businesses.
Speaking on getting their products in the international market, we have had some of our women train with NEPC, Nigerian Exportation Promotion Council on how they can export their products to increase their sales.
Let it be on record that women across Africa can now take digital courses from a partnering organisation through our platform and earn a recognized certificate that can boost their resume and help their businesses grow.
How has the entrepreneurship trainings impacted beneficiaries?
The testimonies are numerous! Right after our training program, at least 35% went on to start their businesses and through our community we are happy to say over 60% of the women are running and building their businesses right now.
How are you getting support to drive the projects?
For the past five ( 5) years, the Project START by Mumsbooth programme have been sustained through personal funds, and few donations from friends and well-wishers. So we will keep pushing and we hope for more partnership and support as we are optimistic that we can achieve a whole lot more and reach more women and children with more resources and funding.
You took the training beyond Nigeria to Uganda recently, what was the reception like and the success stories?
The women in Uganda received us well and they were truly thankful for the Project START by Mumsbooth programme.
We had amazing partners that made this programme a success from women-owned organizations. The United Nations Kampala, Uganda and the Indonesian Embassy were also represented in the programme.
Many women of all age range were satisfied with the outcome because we ensured they were dully empowered.
It was so glad to see them smile , in fact, they left the programme with a lot of zeal to get started with their businesses and the very next week we had testimonies from some of them that kicked off their businesses as a result of the training they had received.
They have also taken digital courses on our platform and earned certificates as well.
What’s your charge to Nigerian women and youths out there?
To every woman out there, I want to ask you to START that thing you have always wanted to do. START that business that will bring extra income to your family. It all starts with a plan, it starts with a pen and paper. Write it down and get started with the little you have in your hand and grow it.
We are happy and thankful for what we have done in the past five (5) years in our community. We say a big thank you to all our partners, volunteers and everyone that have believed in this project and we hope to reach more women and children in the future.
