Local Entrepreneurs in Gunjur

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Published: Tuesday, 11 November 2014 14:34

We are delighted by the work of our colleagues in the Business Development Steering Committee and Buba Touray the new Programme Manager. Buba introduced us to a number of new and established entrepreneurs who are requesting small loans to develop their businesses.

A women's group in nearby Berending are picking leaves from the nearby neem tree, boiling the leaves in water and then adding soap flakes and vegetable oil to the extract producing an effective insect repellent which prevent children from being bitten by mosquitoes and getting malaria. They need funds to buy the raw materials to increase their production and make it more efficient including more charcoal stoves.

 Alieu Darboe is passionate about the horrors of plastic rubbish which lies around on the streets. Anyone who has been to Gunjur will know that this is not only a terrible eyesore but poses a real threat to health and to the environment. Alieu and his team have collected mountains of waste in bin bags which he is currently storing in two large sheds. We are supporting him in starting a business of compressing the plastic to make bricks for construction purposes. Once prepared, plastic bags can also be turned into a durable thread which can then be crocheted into bags, hats, sandals, belts and much more. Simple training and basic tools can turn plastic bags into attractive products popular in the eco tourism industry.

A local tailoring cooperative are hoping to expand into larger premises, and need more sewing machines. This group also self-organise shared skills workshops and business coaching.

Lamin is a poultry farmer who needs funds to provide a larger premises and a free range area for his growing chicken and duck brood which are already bringing in a small income through the sale of eggs and meat.

Ndey is running a small hairdressing and beauty parlour but is finding it increasingly difficult to keep up with demand. She needs financial support to enable her to buy more equipment, employ another hairdresser and move to larger premises.

Maimuna recognised that there is a problem of young girls dropping out of school as they don't have the means to deal with menstrual bleeding. She is sewing reusable sanitary towels made entirely from locally available material which she sells at 3 for £1.50 which after washing in soap and salt can be re-used and she believes will last for five years. She is mounting a public education campaign through the teenage girls and hopes to secure funding for another sewing machine so that she can employ another member of staff.

We are planning to give small entrepreneurs like these, loans to cover the sums they are requesting to be paid back over 2-3 years on production of a proper business plan which they will produce with the help of our TARUD business programme manager Buba Touray.

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