Mustafa came home empty handed again. It would be another night where Fati and Mustafa would need to put their seven children to bed hungry. Mustafa and Fati, like many families in Niger – one of the poorest countries in the world – struggle to make ends meet. Mustafa walks over 6 miles every morning from their bukka (temporary home structure) to the Grand Marche – the largest open air market in Niamey, the capital of Niger to look for small jobs – like helping women to transport their groceries or doing odd jobs to help business owners at the market – anything that can help him and his family afford some food for the day.

In October 2020, Fati was at the madrassa for her Quran classes when her fellow classmate approached her with an opportunity to start her own small business through Duha. Fati – who had never complained about her situation before – started crying as she was deeply moved that someone wanted to help her from thousands of miles away. She had always wanted to do something to support her family more but she never had the means to and she was never able to borrow money from anyone to start her own business.

A few days later, Fati received 30,000 CFA, the equivalent to around $50 USD. She was overjoyed with the possibilities the $50 could bring her and her family – she could finally start her own business. She decided to set up a small shop in front of her bukka to sell some essential household and food items. She bought a few items from the market like roasted peanuts, cookies, milk, soap, meat, oil and cassava semolina. Since day one of starting her business, Fati has been able to sell everything she has put out and her customers keep coming back to buy from her shop. They have even requested her to sell more products and to expand her shop.

Since starting her business, Fati’s life has completely changed. She can feed her children and buy soap for their bathing. She is the safety net for her family whenever her husband comes home empty handed. Their biggest concern – feeding their children – is finally resolved. They no longer have to worry about putting their children to bed hungry. Fati is now looking forward to expanding her business by selling additional items her customers have requested like peanut butter and maize flour.

Fati is proud to be a small business owner and to have something of her own. She feels hopeful for the first time for the future of her children and achieving her dreams to move into their own place and formally open her own store.