The 2021 NaturFund Outreach Programme which is geared towards the empowerment of SMEs was carried out on 26th December, 2021. So many entrepreneurs benefited from this outreach either through the sensitization done by members of the Naturfund Team or the receipt of the giveaway Christmas gifts given by the team.

The outreach for the year 2021 was structured as a follow-up on business owners who have projects created on the Naturfund website (www.naturfund.com). Some of the recipients include: Mr. Chinecherem Okorie (software Engineer), Ms Chiamaka Onaba (Retail seller), Mr. Ebuka (Restaurateur), Mr. Olisakwe Chukwubuike (Artist) and Mrs. Oge (Restaurateur).

The first beneficiary, Mr. Chinecherem Okorie, who is a software Engineer and a graduate of Oseni Elama ICT, Auchi narrated to the team, the functionalities of his business Electrostigita.com.ng, with its office address at A44 Stockfish International Market, Onitsha, Anambra State. He gave a detailed analysis of the development and growth of the business, starting from its registration in 2018 with the Corporate Affairs Commission to its approval by Paystack in 2021. He further stated that its users are majorly traders of 15-65 years old. The team, in encouraging Mr. Okorie, gave him a hamper of Christmas gifts for himself and his family. He expressed his deepest gratitude for the kind gesture of the team and the words of encouragement offered to him thus far.

Ms Chiamaka Onaba, who is also a beneficiary of the 2021 outreach informed the team of her intention to start a wholesale business as she is currently the manager of her mother’s retail business. She is very determined to achieve this goal seeing that she has carried out the requisite market survey in venturing into business of such nature. The team being impressed with her zeal and enthusiasm also encouraged her and gave her a hamper of Christmas gifts as well.

Ebuka Olisakwe Chukwubuike, a talented artist and a two times beneficiary of Naturfund outreach gave the team a brief insight into his growth and development as an artist so far. He pointed out that lack of funds has been a major hindrance in his journey as an artist and not having adequate funding has limited his access to some special courses and painting accessories which all together would have sharpened his skill and made his art work to stand out amongst his competitors. The team noted down his progress as well as his challenges and encouraged him not to relent until he achieves his greatest feat.

Mrs. Oge, who is also a beneficiary of the 2021 Naturfund outreach programme told us her intention to move her business from a low developed area to a higher developed area where she can meet her customer’s satisfaction. She is a restaurateur that has being in the business for a long time and complained that most of her customers don’t visit her restaurant more often because of her location in the city. The team was impressed with her consistency and encouraged her to keep thriving for more with a Christmas gift.

Mr. Ebuka, who is also a restaurateur but helps her mother around when she is not around, is also a beneficiary of Naturfund Outreach Programme 2021. Ebuka, who is also a secondary school student has a zeal of starting his own restaurant or at best, taking over from his mother to run the business. He showed the team some enthusiasm and commitment regardless of his young age, which prompted us to give him a Christmas gift to encourage him to work even harder.

The outreach also extended to roadside hawkers as they were given different Christmas gifts as a form of encouragement. At the end of the day, the Naturfund team succeeded in putting smiles to the faces of so many entrepreneurs who benefited from the Outreach. In anticipation for the next outreach, the members of Naturfund team have started putting ideas together in a bid to reach out to a greater number of SMEs in this year’s outreach. Stay tuned!:

NaturFund is open for partnership and contributions from any interested member of the public; individuals, organizations or corporate bodies. We can be reached via WhatsApp or email.

Tel: +2348064504753

Email: mail@naturfund.com