From 9-17 March, it’s Global Money Week, an annual, worldwide event coordinated by our partner Child & Youth Finance International (CYFI) aimed at engaging young people globally in learning about saving, creating livelihoods, gaining employment, and developing entrepreneurship. Related activities are taking place across Africa, where Camfed’s graduates in the CAMA network are leading on financial literacy and entrepreneurship.
“Global Money Week is a celebration of how training and resources can unlock the resourcefulness in young people from the most marginalized communities,” says Fiona Mavhinga, CAMA Development Manager and one of the founding members of CAMA, who now works closely with Camfed’s Young Women’s Empowerment Managers across five African countries. “Every day of the year our CAMA members are demonstrating how a little change can lead to big and sustainable social changes in their communities.”
Ghana’s Second Young Women Innovators’ Fair
CAMA and Camfed Ghana are celebrating the success of the second Young Women Innovators’ Fair, held in December 2014 in Tamale. This event is supported by Camfed in partnership with The MasterCard Foundation through the Innovation Bursary Program. The fair provided a platform for Innovation Bursary Program Scholars and other CAMA entrepreneurs - 44 young women in total - to market their businesses. Over 6,000 visitors attended, making this year’s fair one of the largest, and with the greatest variety of products and services, in the history of the Northern region. Stands at the fair included products and services as diverse as photography, art and décor, agricultural products, educational services, agro processing, solar energy, skin care and cosmetics, beads and accessories, textiles and garments, technical and contracting services, microfinance, and food.
Dismantling Stereotypes
(Image removed)One of the objectives of the Innovation Bursary Program is to dismantle gender-based stereotypes. CAMA members Amina Sumani, a tiler; Veronica Lariba Yakubu, a painter; and Barichisu Ibrahim, an electrician (pictured from left to right) actively promoted their respective professions.
CAMA member Fatima Yakubu, who helped out on Ruka Yaro De-Liman’s busy Jamilullah Farm Enterprise stand, selling poultry products and beautifully prepared food, commented, “The fair was a great success, with many people coming to buy our products for the holidays. CAMA members made a big effort to show communities just what women can do when they are given the opportunity. What is even more important is that CAMA members pass on the skills they learn to their peers, and are creating jobs in rural areas. That way they are helping other girls and young women build their dreams.”
The Young Women’s Innovator Fair exemplifies what is being achieved through Camfed and CAMA’s extensive financial literacy and entrepreneurship training programs, as well as the seed money and loan schemes administered by CAMA.
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