The Liberian Business Women of Buduburam Refugee Camp

Vermont Trust Funds for Women's Empowerment is a program of One Step One World

We are a non-profit loaning interest free money to refugee women of Buduburam Refugee Camp (a permanent settlement of 21 years) who want to create change for themselves and their families. They are not looking for hand-outs, but rather hoping to open businesses to take care of their own basic needs ie: food, water, shelter, and medical.

Speaking at our Welcome Ceremony

This is not a refugee camp where the people are being taken care of - on the contrary they have to pay for their most basic services; if they use a toilet, they pay for it; if they drink water, they pay for it; if they eat, they pay for it.
 

The Sewing Class Women

Women who started businesses told me, "I was able to feed my children everyday." Out of all of the women who received loans, 9 months later only 50% are still in business. Why? Medical emergencies were most often the cause of the failed business. So before the next round of loans are given each women who receives a loan will put five cedis (equivalent to about 3.50US) into a emergency medical fund.
 

Members of VertFunds resting after painting 

We are presently raising money to give new loans to the women that I personally interviewed while living on the refugee camp last month. Jennifer has almost completed sewing class and she has applied for a loan that includes buying a sewing machine. Jassie wants to sell used clothes and Mamie wants to make and sell homemade donuts. Rolanda will open a hair salon and Evelyn will sell fruit.

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