Africa

People here live from running small businesses. And so, we opened a sewing workshop in the market in order to be close to them and to earn our living. We are in the midst of people who have different conditions of life, origins, jobs and even confessions. I am one among them. Today our workshop has become ecumenical. We are four from three different confessions. We live in a family atmosphere, respecting each other, sharing our joys and pains, our celebrations and griefs. It creates a mutual trust and deep friendship that allows them to confide in us. There are also visits to one another for no other reason than friendship. To support each other we have set up a “tontine” (savings fund). That way each one can create savings or access capital going into debt. Borrowing involves high interest rates, especially since some of them have no goods to offer as security.