How God is using the Young Entrepreneur Program

There are many examples of how the Young Entrepreneur Program is bearing fruit, with young people seeing their situations turned around and finding new hope.

 

Hardwork pays off for Claude

One of the young entrepreneurs, Claude, was inspired by the Bible teaching through Scripture Union and put his faith into practice in the workplace. He now runs a thriving brick making business and passes on his experience to others. He said: “Because of the teachings Scripture Union gave to me, Scripture Union has been a parent to me. Before, I couldn’t work, I neglected the job, but now I’m a hard worker because I employ about 100 employees.”

Claude new

Pooling funds to build a business

Aline

Aline, from Burundi was inspired by SU YEP training to gather a group together to start a business. They have established a micro lending group and after two months were able to buy a pig. They have also established a women’s hair salon and a shop.  Aline started by selling tomatoes in the market, but now working with others and using their skills they are able to sell products when the market is closed. She said: “We put God first and ask ourselves, ‘What has God put in our hands?’. We are grateful that SU supported us and I am helping the team come together around the daily Bible guide. Reflecting on the word of God is the foundation of our enterprises.”

Honey for money

One young girl from Kenya explained how she had set up a honey making business.

Winnie, launched a honey business with financial support from five friends,  buying honey from Baringo and selling it in Eldoret.

She started with only five litres and repackaged it into smaller containers under the brand name TUYA, meaning ‘Black Lady’.

Her first batch sold out in a month and the second sold out even faster. She now purchases honey weekly to meet steady customer demand and also receives direct orders. She now earns approximately $25 weekly from selling five litres, creating a sustainable income and an expanding customer base.

honey business

Hygiene business moves up a gear

sanitary poster

Scripture Union Kenya volunteer, Ruth, started a sanitary disposal business in 2019 to provide essential hygiene services.  It slowed down during the COVID-19 pandemic. After attending the SUI Young Entrepreneur training in Kampala, she was inspired to rededicate the business to God, and miraculously, long-outstanding debts were cleared, as one secondary school cleared a 9-month-old debt and another institution cleared a 15-month-old debt. Her client base is expanding again with outlets in a university, training institutions, secondary schools and  five private primary schools. Ruth is now pursuing more tenders with confidence and witnessing fresh growth.

School vegetable gardens take off

In Tanzania, one group of school pupils was encouraged to take more than 60 pupils through skills training on how to grow vegetable gardens. This has been a very successful project, and today, they no longer need to buy vegetables, and some even sell the surplus to neighboring schools. At the same school, another group of 39 pupils learned how to make mandazi (fried dough snacks). They are continuing to make and consume them at school and at home. The parents are very happy, as this has helped reduce household expenses.

veg Tanzania