"My WildHearts loan has changed my life. Thank you for helping me to become the person I always dreamt I could be."
Ayishatu Ali Abubakari – Nuorenyi Trust Group Member

 

My name is Ayishatu. I am the group leader of the Nuorenyi Trust Group. I own and operate my own general store in front of my house selling plastic containers, handbags, popcorn, mats, saucepans etc. ‘Nuorenyi’ literally means “one voice”. I am so happy with my group members. We are like a family. We believe if we stay united and have one voice we can go far.

My parents were too poor to send me to school so I dropped out when I was seven. I am 26 years old now and gave birth to my first child when I was 15 years of age. Looking back, I regret not going to school. I was a good pupil and had great potential but we were too poor and I did not know any better.

When I heard about WildHearts I immediately told my friends and neighbours but they were apprehensive as it seemed too good to be true. In the past banks refused to give us loans. They said we were too poor to repay them. However, a few of us decided to try (call us risk takers!). We formed a trust group and immediately started our 6 weeks business training and orientation. We cried and hugged each other when we received our first loans. No one had ever believed in us before.

I immediately put my WildHearts loan of £144 to good use and it has changed my life. I bought more stock for my store and the extra revenue it generates has helped me to supplement my husband’s income and enabled me to send my children to school. I also spend more time with my family now as I am able to employ another woman in my community to sell my goods in the market. Thank you WildHearts for helping me to become the person I always dreamt I could be.