By Ernestina Esinam Glikpo, Communications Manager
In the thriving community of Dantie in Ghana’s Ullo Traditional Area, Gladys, a mother of two, is proving how small support can create big change.
For six years, Gladys worked as a fashion designer, sewing clothes for people in her community. She had the skills and determination to grow her business, but she lacked the capital to buy the equipment she needed. Without proper tools, expanding her work and supporting her family remained difficult.
In 2025, Gladys joined Self-Help International’s microcredit program, and that small opportunity sparked a big change.
With her first loan of GHS 2,000.00 (about $160.00), Gladys made a careful investment. She used part of the loan to purchase a hand sewing machine, which allowed her to take on more sewing jobs from customers in her community. Instead of spending her earnings, she saved the profits. Soon, she combined those savings with the remaining GHS 1,000.00 (about $80.00) from the loan, hoping to purchase an industrial sewing machine, which would be a major milestone for her small business.
Today, Gladys’ business is steadily growing. She can now contribute to household expenses, support her husband in caring for their children, and reinvest in her tailoring business.
“Before this support, I didn’t have money to expand my business or help my husband take care of the family,” Gladys says. “Now I can contribute and support my home.” With deep gratitude, she adds, “I thank every donor who made this endeavor possible.”
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