The 2020 NaturFund Outreach kicked off at about 12 noon after the team converged at SPAR Supermarket, Enugu. A total number of five (5) Artisans/ Small Business Owners (SBO) benefited from the Outreach. The beneficiaries include; a tailor (fashion designer), two hair stylists (a barber and a hair dresser), a painter (an artist) and a chef.

The first port of call was New Haven, Enugu State, Nigeria because of the large concentration of artisans/SBO within the vicinity.Upon arrival at New Haven, the team while driving through the streets began to identify ongoing small business premises specifically small businesses that fell under the artisan category. Amongst other considerations for selecting the beneficiaries, the team was looking out for SBO with a business front that has the propensity to expand and grow into a big business in the long run. Bearing these in mind, the team spotted a fashion designer, Amaka Nnaji whose shop is located at No. 30 Nanka Street, Off New Haven, Enugu State. The team approached her and introduced NaturFund to her after which the team presented her with a brand new steam iron to support her growing business. You can imagine the joy on her face when she received the unexpected gift. With her permission the team signed her up for the 2021 NaturFund Entrepreneurship Program before they left in search of the second beneficiary.

The team cruised around New Haven neighborhood for about fifteen minutes before they spotted Amaka Saloon owned and managed by Amaka Onwugbufor, one of the most enterprising artisans the team encountered on the outreach. The Hair Saloon is located at No. 17 Bassey Duke Street, Behind First Bank, New Haven, Enugu State. The team approached her and after a brief introduction, the team presented an electric hand hair dryer to her. From the looks on her face, the team could tell that she was truly overjoyed by the kind gesture. She later informed the team that she was on the verge of purchasing a new hand dryer since the old set she owned had stopped working recently. The gift from the team was a timely business intervention. Amaka Onwugbufor is proof that the importance of the NaturFund Outreach in the sustainability of the growth of small businesses in Nigeria cannot be overemphasized. The team immediately signed her up for the 2021 NaturFund Entrepreneurship Program and on leaving Amaka Saloon, the team decided to leave New Haven and scout other neighborhoods. This decision brought the team to one of the most talented artisan of the 2020 Naturfund Outreach, the artist.

Within few minutes of entering the neighborhood of Trans Ekulu, the team spotted an artist, Olisa Chibuike, who is a student of Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu-Alike, Ebonyi State. Olisa is a very skillful and talented artist. His exquisite work of art speaks for him. After appreciating his works, the team presented him with a set of drawing brushes and a pro A3 sketch sheets. He was later signed up on the 2021 NaturFund Entrepreneurship Program. The young artist was overly excited as he expressed his gratitude for the fortuitous gift he just received. The team encouraged him to develop the habit of brainstorming and trying out new ideas (digital technology not excluded) that will promote his art.

From Trans-Ekulu, the team proceeded to New-Market, Enugu, where the team encountered another enterprising hair stylist, Divine Ngbada. Divine owns a road side barber shop located along Works Road, New Market, Enugu State. After the routine brief introduction, the team presented an industrial hair clipper to him. The team also encouraged him to think outside the box and always seek for customer’s feedback as a means of improving his service delivery. The team also advised him to look into rebranding his business to attract more customers. Finally, the team signed him up for the 2021 Naturfund Entrepreneurship Program.

The last port of call was Nwagbo Kitchen which is located at No. 2 Hill-Top Boulevard, Enugu-Ngwo. Nwagbo Kitchen is owned and managed by Amalu Arinze Chris, a certified chef who has been in the restaurant business for more than half a decade. The team presented an electric cooking stove to him which he accepted gratefully and expressed his interest in joining the 2021 NaturFund Entrepreneurship Program.

Altogether, the outreach was a grand success. Many SBO could have benefited from the outreach if not for the team’s limited resources and funding. However, NaturFund greatly appreciates the two major sponsors that made the outreach a reality. Regy Henry Amazing Grace Foundation, Jabi, Abuja made a lump contribution and the Robotics Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos also made a chunk contribution which altogether made the outreach a success. The major difficulty the team faced while planning the outreach was funding and this could be abridged if more organizations and individuals participate in this clarion call for the growth of small businesses in Nigeria.

The 2020 NaturFund Artisan Outreach was orchestrated by a group of professionals whose commitment and efforts towards the successful outreach cannot be overemphasized. The NaturFund team is currently made up of the following professionals:

1. Mr. Ikechukwu Onyia (Pioneer; Founder of NaturFund Group)
2. Mr. Ifeanyi Muo, Esq.  (Pioneer; Head of Legal Department)
3. Mrs. Ebubechukwu Ugwoke (Pioneer; Head of Public Relations Department)
4. Miss Ezinne Nnadi, Esq. (Pioneer; Member; Legal Department)
5. Mr. Odera Chinonso Young (Member; Head of Finance Department)
6. Dr. Chinonso Ekelem (Member; Head of Health Department)
7. Pharm.Hillary Udochukwu (Member; Health Department)
8. Mr. Kenechukwu Nwangwu (Member; Public Relations Department)
9. Miss Odinaka Ani (Member; Public Relations Department)

Plans for the next outreach are ongoing and will be unveiled to the public in October, 2021. NaturFund is open for partnership with any organization in the world for the purpose of sustaining the growth of small businesses and entrepreneurship in Nigeria and Africa at large.