Improving living conditions for marginalized women in Cameroon
Providing free vocational training in dressmaking to widows and single mothers
The Air Liquide Foundation is supporting the latest program from the Center for Community Regeneration and Development (CCREAD), an African association founded in 2006 that helps disadvantaged children, young people and women realize their potential and increase their self-reliance.
Socio-economic empowerment
In the remote regions of Cameroon, such as the seaside town of Idenau, the economic and socio-cultural environment is particularly difficult for single mothers and widows. In order to extricate these women from this vicious circle of economic insecurity and stigmatization, CCREAD is providing vocational training in dressmaking together with entrepreneurial lessons and mentoring.
CCREAD Cameroon
Intensive training and start-up capital
CCREAD provides eight-month intensive training courses. At the end of each course, the 30 trainees are loaned start-up capital so that they can create their own fashion and dressmaking micro-enterprises. Once their businesses are off the ground, they will be able to provide for their and their children's needs and repay the loan. The money from the repaid loan will be used to finance the start-up capital for women in subsequent training courses.
CCREAD Cameroun
How is the Air Liquide Foundation involved?
The Air Liquide Foundation supports this empowerment program by procuring all of the necessary equipment: sewing machines, chairs, work benches, fabrics, etc.
