From Financial Dependence to Entrepreneurship: Rachelle’s Story of Empowerment

Rachelle is the secretary of the S4T Sigida Yiriwa savings group; married and the mother of five boys. As a stay-at-home mom for many years, she depended entirely on her husband’s income to support herself and her family.

This financial dependence was often a source of friction within the household. Despite her husband’s efforts to provide for the family, their resources remained limited, and discussions about expenses sometimes became difficult. Rachelle felt powerless in the face of her situation and dreamed of being able to contribute more to her family’s well-being.

“Being a housewife was very difficult for me. I had no source of income and all my expenses depended on my husband. Even for the simplest necessities, I had to ask him for help. This situation often led to misunderstandings and frustration within our household,” Rachelle told us.

Rachelle’s participation in the S4T Sigida Yiriwa group marked a real turning point in her life. Thanks to an initial loan of 50,000 CFA francs, she set up a business buying and selling Faso cloth. The results quickly exceeded her expectations. Buoyed by this initial success, she secured a second loan, which she invested in the second-hand clothing trade, a business that also proved profitable.

At the same time, Rachelle set up a small business selling condiments from home. Gradually, her customer base grew, and her business became a well-known fixture in her neighborhood.

“Today, I have several income-generating activities that enable me to support my family. My turnover is now around 350,000 CFA francs = US$560. I can contribute to family expenses, pay for my children’s school supplies, help with healthcare costs and provide for their clothing. I am also able to make regular savings contributions to the group.”

Thanks to the financial independence she has achieved, Rachelle has regained her self-confidence and now plays a more active role in her family's financial decisions. Her ambition is now to develop her various business activities further to increase her income and better meet her family’s needs.

Happy with the change that has taken place in her life and that of her family, she expresses her deep gratitude to World Vision and the S4T Sigida Yiriwa group, who have given her the opportunity to take control of her future and become a role model for empowerment for other women in her community.