Aisha Story

Once upon a time, in a small village of Konkiyel of Darazo LGA in Bauchi State Nigeria amidst rolling hills, there lived a remarkable woman named Amina Umar Konkiyel. She possessed an unwavering determination and an indomitable spirit that set her apart from the rest. Amina had a dream, a vision that she would build her own house.Aisha had always been a woman of action; never want to shy away from a challenge. The COVID 19 pandemic has exposed her to a lot of challenges as woman living with her husband and 5 children (3 boys and 2 girls). With the coming of WVL project Amina with many other women seized the opportunity and joined during the sensitization and formation of VSLA group in her community.In March 2022 Aisha began selling of pomade, liquid soap, which she learned from skills acquisitions trainings conducted in her community by WEIN, added to the business of sales of local perfumes.Aisha makes a daily profit, which she supports her family. This, runs down her business as she digs deep into her capital most times to meet to family demands.After attending training on income generating activities and financial literacy, Amina made up her mind to join one of the groups formed called Fahimta women savings group, which comprises of 25 women saving 200 as single share value, in which Aisha saved 600 or 1000 each week from the profits she makes from her daily sales. Days turned into weeks, and weeks into months, as Aisha tirelessly toiled under the scorching sun. Making and selling home care products. To boost her business, Aisha access a loans ranging from 30,000, 50,000. 100,000 from the VSLA group to support her business, paying back within three (3) months Amina access these loans 3 consecutive times paying back with little interest to the group.Aisha embarked on her ambitious journey. She purchased reagents in large quantities and distribute to other villages on the outskirts of the village, a blank canvas upon which she would bring her dreams to life. Armed with determination and a toolbox filled with tools, she set to work.Her enthusiasm gave her an edge, she was selected to be part of the political mentorship committee formed by the VSLA women after the trainings they received on women’s right and women participation in politics, and she was again selected to represent the women in the community as political party women leader.Aisha’s dream and vision that she would build her own house never died as she took a bold step to secure a land.  Her business, once soft and delicate, now bore the calluses of hard work and perseverance. But she never wavered, for her vision was crystal clear.Her determination and outstanding contribution was noticed, she gained support from politicians and members of her community.With her savings carefully tucked away, Aisha supported her family, sent her daughter and son to a secondary school to gain western education.During the Bauchi state August, 2024 LGA Chairmanship/Counselor’s election, Aisha Umar contested for counsellorship of her ward (Konkiyel) and she was victorious and elected a counselor to represent her ward in the LGA. This is a milestone achieved and a dream come true for not only Aisha Umar but for women of her ward in general. All thanks to women empowerment initiative (WEIN)/Women Voice and leadership (WVL) project implemented in Darazo LGA that exposed women to their full potential (leadership and entrepreneurships) by empowering them with adequate knowledge and skills to actively participate in decision making, and contribute their quota in the development of their household and community.