Recently, some members of EDEMCS executives: Anna Aipokhio, Yinka Olayioye and Photographer Austin Obi visited the beneficiaries of the first phase of the business loan project of EDEMCS for an impact assessment on the farmers. The loan was given in January 2016

The loan was given in January 2016 to empower the local women. The principles of participatory action research, which form the basis on which EDEMCS was founded, requires that any help given to the rural community should empower them towards sustainability and independence, rather than make them become perennially dependent on Aid. For ACIRD, we believe that aid should make people more independent and innovative, and inspire them to be creative entrepreneurs. In this report, we let the beneficiaries speak for themselves.

Mrs. Idiata Stella (Ehanlen – Ewu); Occupation: Poultry / Farming

MRS IDIATA STELLA, is a 49 years old widow with five children. She is from Ehanlen community in Ewu kingdom.

Question: What is your opinion of the loan support scheme?

Stella: I thank EDEMCS for their loan support scheme. It is a very laudable project and I am happy to be among the first beneficiaries.

Question: How and why were you selected as a beneficiary?

Stella: I was nominated by the village elders based on their assessment of me as a serous-minded member of the community. They are aware of my challenges and struggles. They asked me to obtain the application form from EDEMCS, which I did.

Question: What kind of business do you do?

Stella: I am into livestock rearing and crop farming. I have been in this business for about five years now. I am into this kind of business because I love taking care of animals. Taking care of animals gives me the opportunity to monitor my farm.

Question: How has the loan benefited your business?

Stella: The loan given to me has helped to increase the number of goats from 8 to 25, and I was also able to increase the size of my tomato and cassava farm. Although the money was not enough but I was able to expand my farm and livestock.

Question: Would you like to apply for more loan?

Stella: I wish I can have more, I will willingly take if given. My advice to other women is that EDEMCS has come to help the community and the loan is very convenient to pay, especially as there is no interest.

Mrs. Dauda Zuma Nusa (Eguare – Ewu); Occupation: Farming

MRS. DAUDU ZUMA NUSA is from Eguare community in Ewu kingdom. She is a 60 years old Muslim married with five children.

Question: What is your opinion of the loan support scheme?

Daudu: I came across EDEMCS during its inauguration. I was selected by my village as one of the beneficiaries. I obtained the loan application form from the village representative, because the process of the loan system is convenient and the source of the funds is genuine.

Question: What kind of business do you do?

Daudu: I am into farming. I cultivate plantain and cassava. I am also into trading and the rearing of animals (sheep and goats). I used the loan to hire labourers for the farm, thereby increasing the portion of land I cultivate.

Question: How has the loan benefited your business?

Daudu: I am very happy because the loan helped me to expand my farm land from what I used to cultivate before and also expanded my business in agricultural produce.

Question: What is your advice for other women?

Daudu: My advice to other women is that the loan is very convenient and the payment conditions are very favourable. They should use the money for the purpose for which it is meant because in the village, integrity is also a capital.

Mrs. Regina Aikhuele (Idunwele – Ewu); Occupation: Poultry

REGINA AIKHUELE, 52, is from Idunwele community of Ewu. She is married with six children.

Question: What kind of business do you do?

Regina: I have been a poultry farmer for 25 years. It’s the kind of business I love doing.

Question: How has the loan benefited your business?

Regina: I am proud of EDEMCS. I was selected by my village as one of the beneficiaries. EDEMCS is genuine and because of their background, I believed in them. Through the loan given to me I have been able to expand my poultry business. As you can see, these are new set of chickens I have just bought and they are doing very well and there is great improvement in my business. I sold that last set of birds during the Christmas period. The only challenges am having now is that the cost of buying their feed has skyrocketed.

Question: Would you like to apply for more loan?

Regina: If another opportunity is given to me I willingly accept.