Because of you! We will be adding a new English Literacy component, that will help business owners expand their services to new markets by working with them to translate their work through basic English speaking and literacy training.
Over the past decade Leadership Initiatives Business Creation programs have created over 54 businesses in the fields of agricultural, biology/microbiology, computer science, information technology and vocational skills.
The businesses created utilize community resources and promote sustainable development across their respective villages, towns and cities. The objective of our business creation and expansion programs is to utilize the energy, idealism and ingenuity of community leaders and cultivate an entrepreneurial approach to mitigate obstacles to development.
Below is the story of one our leaders who just completed our Business Expansion Program, so you can see the leaders you are helping to create!
Umar The Photography Shop Owner.
Umar started to learn about the photography business in 1997 when he worked as an apprentice, and started a one-man analog photo shop in 2000. Umar came across LI in 2008 where he participated in the computer literacy training that LI gave in collaboration with CYDI (Challenge Your Disability Initiative).
Umar then underwent Leadership Initiatives’ intensive business creation course where he learned the principles of business management, further developed his idea for a photo business, and gained skills in digital editing. He was able to garner investor support to create a digital photo studio. In 2000 he started the photo studio with an analog camera, but after LI’s training he closed his old analog shop and opened a new digital studio. The training and expertise he acquired from being a part of the LI/CYDI computer literacy program has helped him build his business and to move from the use of analog to digital system. Because of this new digital system, Umar’s business has increased ten-fold allowing him to hire 3 local employees and transform their lives.
This new business has made his job easier and more profitable. His business profits allowed him the opportunity to further his education from the Primary level to a Diploma in Computer Literacy with the Federal Ministry of Labour and Productivity.
Today Umar Inuwa is a 33 year old father of three small children; one of his daughters is in primary school while the other two are still too small to attend school. As a father and an eldest child himself, he has shouldered a great deal of responsibility in his family.
Presently, he provides financial support for about 15 people (mostly children) with the profits from his business. He lives with his father and his father’s family in addition to his own wife, three children and several orphans who he has taken under his roof. He is responsible for food, clothing, health care and schooling. He lives in an eight bedroom house with his family, which he and his father are working together to buy. They have started making payments and will soon own the house.
If you would like to learn more about Umar, the Business Creation Program, or any of the other LI programs, visit our new website at www.lichange.org. There you can find out about their personal stories, meet members of the community, view photo galleries, or even set up a skype call with a business owner!
Also if you had a moment could you tell us why you donated and how you heard of us, we are always trying to better refine our message and reach more people with our call to change. Thank you for also helping us, understand amazing people like you better!
Wishing you, your friends and especially your family the absolute best this Autumn!
Sincerely,
Marshall and the entire LI family
