Meet Afi Dope Mimlikou

“Since receiving the initial loan, my family’s quality of life has improved. My two youngest children can go to school, now that I can buy the school uniform and books they need.”

Afi Dope Mimlikou is 57 years old. She lives in Lomé, the capital of Togo, with her husband and five children, who are aged between 16-30. Afi’s husband was unemployed, so the family’s finances and the future of their children was down to her. She ran a small stall selling food and charcoal at the local market in their town, but her business was limited.

Afi wanted to buy more stock in bigger amounts to invest in her business but without any formal schooling, she was unable to get a loan from a bank. Through her community savings group, Ave Marie, she was able to apply for a loan of £160, which she invested in buying rice, tomatoes, and cooking oil in larger quantities. Her stall began to flourish, and she soon repaid her loan.

Afi now makes about 30,000 XOF (£39) profit every month, enabling her to save with her community group as well as add to their family’s savings. Since receiving support Afi has gone on to access a second loan of £330 through her community savings group and has increased her business further. She has now been able to buy a plot of land and build a home for her family.

“The training I have received has allowed me, and the other members in my group to develop an innovative business. We now trade in a wide variety of goods, whilst also learning to manage our loans and keep thorough records.”

She has attended many healthcare workshops, the most recent focused on breast cancer prevention. This was very popular with all the women in the group. With the support Afi and her community savings group have been given she now has a profitable business, giving her and the whole community the opportunity needed to make life without poverty a reality.  Afi says her next goal is ‘to buy a car for the family’.