When conflict hit her village, Ayem fled with her family and spent three years living in a UN-protected camp for internally displaced people. When they returned home, Ayem didn’t know how she would provide for her family. She started selling firewood at a local market to make money, but many days this wasn’t enough, and they would go to bed hungry.

“I couldn’t get a job because I didn’t go to school, so I didn’t know how to read or write. Then I joined an Adult Literacy and Savings Group (supported by Five Talents) and my life changed.”

Thanks to the training she received and a small loan from her fellow Savings Group members, Ayem was able to start a small business selling tea, bread and roasted groundnuts.

“Now I am a proud business woman… I never thought of owning a business like this where I can sell products to customers. I make a profit of $4/day and I can feed my children and provide for their needs.”

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