This is the third time we have visited Ireine at her small tailoring business in the town of Calavi and she says things are still going very well. Her shop was pretty busy when we visited but she still found time to measure me up for a top – which I have to say fit perfectly after just one fitting! At the moment, Ireine has seven apprentices who will receive training from her for two years before receiving their diploma. In the 17 years Ireine has had her business she has trained 21 young apprentices, many of whom she visits regularly to see how they are doing. Ireine has received several loans from lendwithcare’s microfinance partner, ACFB, to buy her materials and additional products (such as jewellery and some consumable goods) from the grand market in Lome, Togo in bulk. In addition to the loans she receives from ACFB, she also has a savings account with them. These savings have been very important, especially recently when a thief stole some furniture and goods from outside her shop and she needed to replace these items.
Ireine was a very bubbly and welcoming women and it was a great pleasure to meet her!