2023 Q3 Newsletter

2023
THIRD
QUARTERLY
Newsletter
HELL0
Welcome to our third quarterly newsletter, and
in this edition, we give you an insight into the
stories of hope and determination of our
program beneficiaries. We celebrate the journey
of people who have embraced change in their
journey to empowerment.
GRATITUDE BEYOND
MEASURE
Talk about timing. The Staff Inhouse support program could

not have come at a more perfect moment for the staff of
Dunes Centre. This quarter we provided financial support to
three staff and their families, focusing on education and
health. Their heartfelt responses – filled with gratitude,
prayers, tears, and an overwhelming sense of joy spoke
volumes. Our support has been a light in the dark, especially
during these financially challenging times and we will
continue to give our best to ensure Dunes Centre staff are
supported and able to provide for their families.
DETERMINATION AND RESILIENCE
AMID CHALLENGES: CELEBRATING
KARONMAJIGI’S RURAL WOMEN
This quarter we ended the fourth phase of our
microcredit program in Karonmajigi Community. The
program which began in 2022 was not without its
share of hurdles from the cash crunch to the
prevailing economic challenges that impacted our
beneficiaries, their families, and businesses. “Before the loan, I could not buy my products in
Despite this, their resilience, smile, and gratitude bulk so I had to buy in bits. But now, I can buy in
shone through on each loan collection day and we bulk for sale.”
couldn’t be prouder. Remarkably, we saw a 94%
return of the interest-free loan which is a testament “The program is helping the poor, many of us do not
to their incredible determination and hard work. have anything to do so the loan helped us. For me, I
used to have only one shop where I sell foodstuffs
The beneficiaries also expressed their eagerness to but because of this program, I expanded my
be part of the next phase and according to our business to two shops. While I sell foodstuffs in
beneficiaries here are a few reasons why. one, I sell soft drinks in crates in the other. I want to
move to the next phase so that I can add the loan to
the money I already have and invest in my business.
“like the repayment structure, it is easy, and it is interest-free and I want to add more crates to my business.”
helped grow my business. The team also has a friendly approach
and communicates well.”
These are the stories that warm our
“Before the loan, my business was mainly selling cold drinks only, hearts. We are glad the phase has
but after I joined the program, I was able to expand my business, come to an impactful end and look
buy a freezer, and venture into the sale of bedsheets.” forward to the next phase.
CELEBRATING NEW
OPPORTUNITIES
"The main reason I
Due to the current economic situation, we
recognized the need for our interest-free loan
started my business was
program for more women in karonmajigi. So, we to train my children and
opened the program to new applicants, and guess help them in the future. If I
what? Over 100 new women participated in our am no longer here, they
registration exercise. What is more inspiring is that can use the business to
the majority of these women have never collected
loans or had prior engagements but wished to be a
support themselves
part of our program due to the interest-free plan and because in this life nothing
the seamless repayment process. This is a is permanent. I want to
testament to the program's impact and pressing collect this loan to enlarge
need among women in the community. my business and I hope
We decided to delve deeper into these women’s that if I expand my
stories and discovered that their businesses were
business, I will be able to
established not merely for personal gain but out of a
deep sense of responsibility. They needed to support
help other women in a
their families, send their children to school, and help similar way."
ease the financial burden on their spouses. Their --MCP, Karonmajigi
selflessness is remarkable and we are honoured to Applicant
play a part in their journeys.
OUR MICROCREDIT PROGRAM IN PIYANKO
Towards Financial Security
and Inclusion for Rural
Women
A key component of our microcredit program is
improving access to financial inclusion for rural
women. Many women do not have bank accounts,
know how to operate an account, or have savings.
They prefer to save their money at home, under
their beds, or in their waist pouches. So, we opened
bank accounts for them, provided them with basic
security training, and equipped them with ATM
cards. We aim to enable these women to access
financial institutions and create a secure
environment for them to save their hard-earned
money.
We are hopeful that this will bridge the gap and
provide them with the tools and knowledge to
confidently participate in the formal financial
system.
A Growing Community of Empowered Women
As we came to the end of the Microcredit Program's fourth phase in Piyanko, a dire need
emerged to increase the number of beneficiaries in the community. Subsequently, we had a
167% surge in participants which included old and new applicants. Among these women,
some needed the seed funds to expand their businesses, while others not engaged in any
form of income-generating activity needed it to start up their businesses. In all, the overall
goal for them is to improve their capacity to support themselves and their families. As we
embrace more women in this community, we anticipate a phase that will breed more
confident, self-sufficient, and empowered women.
Cheers to new beginnings.

Understanding
and Prioritizing
Social Norms
“Norms are not static; they
develop and evolve. So, we must
understand social norms, and
why people subscribe to them so
that it can guide us to shift from
those norms that are harmful.”
This quote captures the essence of our recent engagement at the Social Norms
Conference in Abuja under the theme Norms Shifting: Cutting-edge Innovations for
Health, Education, and Gender Equality. The Keynote speaker's words that norms are
not fixed, they adapt, grow, and influence our behaviors captured the foundation of
Welcome onboard, John!
the conference. The program hosted by the Social Norms Learning Collaborative
featured innovative presentations of research, dialogues, and panel discussions. The
discussions ranged on different topics from effective programming that integrates
social and gender norms interventions, understanding social norms, normative
approaches for advancing women’s economic empowerment and inclusion, leveraging
media to foster community participation for behavior change, and enablers for
normative shifts among so many others.
This enlightening experience served as a guiding light, emphasizing the significance of
recognizing, challenging, and reshaping norms for a more progressive society.
You can support what we do by volunteering or spreading the word

about our initiative.
To learn more about our programs, visit our website, or follow us on
our social media pages
thank you

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2023

Talk about timing. The Staff Inhouse support program could

A Growing Community of Empowered Women

Cheers to new beginnings.

You can support what we do by volunteering or spreading the word

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