From Petty Trader to Shop Owner: Real Stories from LEWAF's Economic Empowerment Program

For the women in LEWAF's Economic and Social Empowerment (EaSE) program, the annual "share-out" — the day each savings group divides up a year's worth of collective savings and interest — is more than a financial transaction. It's the day a plan finally becomes real. Here are four of their stories.

Zainab Kamara — Grafton Community, Western Area Rural

Zainab is a war widow who has lived in a displaced persons camp in Grafton since the war ended in 2002, raising her children on hand-outs. Today, she owns and operates an assorted electronics and electrical shop, and is a member of the Justice Women savings group.

"Today I have this shop after 5 years of joining the LEWAF Economic Empowerment program. It's really a source of restoring my hope."

Adama Dumbuya — Texaco Community, Eastern Freetown

Adama, a member of the Never Give Up group, now runs a printing shop after five consecutive years of participation and share-outs — accumulating roughly $2,000 over that time.

"You see on my T-shirt — Never Give Up. In life, never give up on achieving your dream. All that is needed is reliable and sustained opportunity — and LEWAF has done just that."

Memunatu Kargbo — Rokel Container Community, Western Area Rural

Memunatu, a member of the Vision group, upgraded her business from a petty wooden trading box to a full shop after three consecutive years in the program.

"When you fail to plan, then you plan to fail. My vision over the past 3 years is to upgrade my business from petty wooden box to own a big shop. All thanks to LEWAF."

Susan Sawaneh — Kissy Community, Eastern Freetown

Susan, of the Stand Stronge group, used her 2024 share-out to buy a commercial motorbike (okada) — creating a job for her husband's brother in the process.

"My economic strength created that sense of recognition of my value in the home. My husband sees me more of an asset than a liability... I have regained my full dignity and respect in my home."

Across LEWAF's savings groups, 42 women out of 50 targeted have now made this same leap — from petty, hand-to-mouth trading to owning and operating a registered business. It usually takes a year or more of steady saving to get there, but as these four women show, the destination is worth the wait.