For many young women living in Cameroon’s conflict-affected North West and South West Regions, acquiring vocational skills is only the first step toward rebuilding their lives. The greater challenge lies in transforming those technical skills into sustainable businesses capable of generating long-term income and restoring dignity. Recognizing this critical gap, Bright Light Projects (BLP) organized a one-day intensive training workshop on Entrepreneurship, Business Planning, Marketing, Financial Management, and Bookkeeping for more than 50 vulnerable teenage girls and young women at the Women’s Empowerment and Family Centre (WEFC) in Buea on 22 July 2026.

The workshop was implemented in partnership with WEFC and with support from TAMA Veterinary Hospital. The initiative forms part of Bright Light Projects’ broader commitment to promoting sustainable livelihoods for conflict-affected populations in Cameroon and vulnerable populations in Sierra Leone through skills development, entrepreneurship, mentorship, and economic empowerment.
Over the past several years, Bright Light Projects has invested significantly in vocational training programs for vulnerable women, girls, young men, and caregivers, training over 5,000 young people across West Africa in the last 14 years. Through these initiatives, hundreds of beneficiaries have acquired practical skills in tailoring, fashion design, catering, hotel management, interior decoration, computer studies, and other income-generating trades.

However, continuous monitoring of programme graduates revealed an important reality. While beneficiaries possessed valuable technical skills, many struggled to establish viable businesses because they lacked knowledge in entrepreneurship, business planning, financial management, customer relations, and marketing. Without these complementary skills, many graduates remained unemployed or underemployed despite completing vocational training.

These observations inspired the management of Bright Light Projects, under the leadership of Mr. Bonghan Franco, to design an entrepreneurship program that bridges the gap between vocational education and economic independence. Rather than simply training beneficiaries to acquire technical skills, Bright Light Projects now seeks to empower them to become successful entrepreneurs capable of creating employment opportunities for themselves and others.

The vocational training is carried out under BLP’s flagship program, Girls Shall Rise (GSR), with 23 students currently undergoing training at WEFC Buea and due for graduation in December 2026; the program particularly targets vulnerable young women identified through Bright Light Projects’ Vulnerability Assessment Methodology. Many participants were: Internally displaced persons (IDPs), Young women from economically vulnerable households, Survivors of displacement and conflict, Girls whose education had been interrupted by the ongoing armed conflict, Young women rebuilding their lives after experiencing significant social and economic hardship.

Years of insecurity in Cameroon’s North West and South West Regions have disrupted education, reduced employment opportunities, and increased poverty levels, particularly among women and girls. For many of the participants, entrepreneurship represents more than an income-generating activity; it is a pathway to self-reliance, resilience, and hope.

By equipping beneficiaries with business management skills alongside vocational competencies, Bright Light Projects is helping them move from dependency toward sustainable economic empowerment.
Throughout the day, participants received practical training covering every stage of establishing and managing a small business. The sessions focused on: Entrepreneurial mindset development, identifying business opportunities, developing realistic business plans, Financial management, Record-keeping and bookkeeping, Marketing strategies, Customer care, Savings and investment, and Responsible use of start-up capital.

The workshop emphasized that successful entrepreneurship requires discipline, planning, accountability, innovation, and continuous learning. Rather than relying solely on theory, facilitators encouraged participants to connect each lesson with the vocational skills they had already acquired, enabling them to envision practical pathways toward establishing profitable enterprises.

Opening the workshop, Mrs. Eteki Stella Dopgima, Director of the Women’s Empowerment and Family Centre (WEFC) Buea, described the training as both timely and necessary. She praised the longstanding partnership between WEFC and Bright Light Projects, particularly the leadership of Executive Director Mr. Bonghan Franco and the continuous engagement of Country Director Mr. Shing Praise Wandia, whose collaboration has strengthened support services available to vulnerable women at the centre. According to Mrs. Dopgima, vocational education alone is insufficient if beneficiaries are unable to convert acquired skills into sustainable businesses.

She noted that WEFC has consistently explored strategies to ensure that empowerment programmes create lasting economic impact. “We have always had this conversation on how to make what we do sustainable. Training women in entrepreneurship, business planning and marketing is one way to ensure that the empowerment we provide continues long after beneficiaries leave the centre.” She explained that while beneficiaries graduate with practical skills in sewing, catering, computer studies, hotel management, and interior decoration, many face challenges in starting businesses because they lack entrepreneurial knowledge.

Mrs. Dopgima thanked Bright Light Projects for continuously investing in vulnerable women and girls across Cameroon, particularly those affected by the humanitarian crisis. Addressing participants directly, she encouraged them to remain committed to their personal development. “Do not allow your past to define your future. Continue working hard, remain committed to your dreams, and use every opportunity available to rebuild your lives.” Her message resonated strongly with participants, many of whom have experienced displacement, interrupted education, and significant economic hardship.

Speaking on behalf of Bright Light Projects, Program Manager Mr. Shing Praise Wandia emphasized that vocational training should not be viewed as the final objective of empowerment programmes. Instead, he explained, it should serve as the beginning of an individual’s journey toward financial independence. He observed that Bright Light Projects has learned valuable lessons through years of implementing livelihood programmes in Cameroon and Sierra Leone.

One of the most significant lessons, he explained, is that technical skills alone rarely guarantee sustainable employment. Without entrepreneurial knowledge, beneficiaries often struggle to market their services, manage finances, attract customers, or expand their businesses. “This training is designed to help participants organize their ideas, transform their technical skills into viable enterprises, and confidently engage customers, partners, and potential investors,” he noted.

He further stressed the importance of bookkeeping and financial management, describing them as essential tools for ensuring business growth, accountability, and long-term sustainability. For Bright Light Projects, entrepreneurship training represents an investment in resilience, equipping vulnerable young people not only to earn incomes but also to contribute to local economic development and community recovery.

The entrepreneurship workshop was delivered by a team of experienced facilitators with expertise in entrepreneurship, business development, financial management, and marketing. Their practical approach ensured that participants not only understood theoretical concepts but also gained the confidence to apply them to real-life business situations.

Each session was designed to address common challenges faced by first-time entrepreneurs, particularly young women seeking to transform vocational skills into sustainable income-generating enterprises.
Mrs. Elone Theresia facilitated the session on Entrepreneurship and Marketing, encouraging participants to view entrepreneurship as the ability to identify problems and develop innovative solutions that create value within their communities.

Using practical examples drawn from the participants’ vocational fields, including tailoring, catering, interior decoration, computer studies, and hospitality, she demonstrated how entrepreneurs can identify profitable business opportunities by carefully observing market trends and unmet customer needs.
Participants were introduced to several approaches for identifying business opportunities, including: Recognizing gaps in existing markets, developing innovative products and services, responding to changing consumer preferences, leveraging community needs created by displacement and urban growth, and adding value to existing products through creativity and quality improvement. Mrs. Theresia stressed that successful entrepreneurship requires discipline, consistency, and responsible financial management. She strongly advised participants never to use their business start-up capital for personal expenses, emphasizing that preserving working capital is essential for business survival and growth. She also encouraged participants to cultivate resilience, noting that many successful entrepreneurs experienced setbacks before achieving success.

Business development expert Mr. Pekassa Abdel Aziz led participants through an intensive session on Business Plan Development, highlighting the importance of planning before launching any enterprise. He explained that possessing technical skills alone does not automatically guarantee business success. Entrepreneurs must understand their markets, define realistic goals, identify target customers, estimate costs, and anticipate potential risks.

During the session, participants learned how to prepare comprehensive business plans covering: Business description, Vision and mission statements, Products and services, Market analysis, Competitor assessment, Marketing strategy, Operational planning, Financial projections, Sources of capital, Risk management and Growth strategy.

Mr. Pekassa emphasized that a business plan serves as a roadmap for entrepreneurs, guiding decision-making while increasing credibility with potential investors, financial institutions, and development partners.

Mrs. Lilianne Franka delivered practical sessions on Bookkeeping and Financial Management, describing accurate record-keeping as one of the most overlooked yet essential components of business success. Participants were introduced to simple bookkeeping techniques suitable for small businesses, including: Recording daily income, Tracking business expenses, Managing inventory, Monitoring profits and losses., Maintaining customer payment records and Preparing simple financial statements.

Mrs. Franka emphasized that entrepreneurs who fail to maintain proper financial records often struggle to evaluate business performance, access financing, or make informed decisions. She encouraged participants to embrace financial discipline and accountability, reminding them that “every franc earned or spent should be recorded.”

To reinforce the lessons learned throughout the workshop, participants were divided into working groups according to their vocational backgrounds. Each group was tasked with developing a complete business plan based on a realistic business idea within their area of expertise. Participants identified target markets, estimated start-up costs, Marketing strategies, Revenue projections, Business risks, and Customer engagement strategies. The groups later presented their business plans before facilitators, trainers, and fellow participants.

Facilitators provided constructive feedback, highlighting strengths while identifying areas requiring improvement. This interactive exercise enabled participants to apply newly acquired knowledge immediately and strengthened their confidence in presenting business ideas. The practical approach transformed theoretical concepts into actionable skills that participants could readily implement upon completing their vocational training. The workshop concluded with participants sharing reflections on the knowledge and confidence they had gained. For many, the training represented the missing link between technical skills acquisition and successful entrepreneurship.

Precilia Teke: “I Now Know How to Build My Business” Precilia Teke, a trainee in the Fashion Design Department, expressed appreciation for the practical knowledge acquired during the workshop. She explained that although she had already developed sewing skills, she previously lacked the knowledge needed to manage finances, prepare business plans, or effectively market her products. According to her, the entrepreneurship training has fundamentally changed the way she approaches her future business. She believes the knowledge gained will enable her to transform her tailoring skills into a sustainable enterprise capable of supporting herself and her family.

Annabel Vernyuy: “Success Begins with Accountability”. Another participant, Annabel Vernyuy, described accountability as one of the most valuable lessons learned during the training. She explained that many aspiring entrepreneurs postpone starting businesses because they believe they need significant capital. The workshop challenged this assumption by demonstrating that successful businesses often begin with modest resources combined with proper planning, discipline, and financial management. Annabel noted that she now understands the importance of starting small, maintaining accurate records, and gradually expanding a business through responsible financial practices.

The entrepreneurship workshop represents only one component of Bright Light Projects’ broader strategy for promoting sustainable livelihoods across Cameroon and Sierra Leone.
Over the years, the organization has invested in innovative programmes designed to address unemployment, poverty, social exclusion, and the economic consequences of conflict.
These programmes include:

Girls Shall Rise (GSR): Bright Light Projects’ flagship initiative empowering vulnerable girls and young women through vocational skills, entrepreneurship, mentorship, leadership development, and advocacy against gender-based violence. The programme specifically supports internally displaced girls, survivors of violence, school dropouts, and other marginalized young women. Young Men Entrepreneurship (YME): A programme that has empowered young men aged 18–25 through vocational training, entrepreneurship, mentorship, and second-chance education, helping them rebuild productive lives despite conflict and economic hardship.

BLP Mothers Club Familiarization Program (BLPMC): An initiative that equips rural mothers and caregivers with financial literacy, savings practices, entrepreneurship skills, and Village Savings and Loan Association (VSLA) methodologies to strengthen household resilience and improve family incomes.
Together, these programmes demonstrate Bright Light Projects’ commitment to empowering entire communities rather than isolated groups, recognizing that sustainable development requires inclusive support for women, men, youth, and caregivers.

The success of this entrepreneurship workshop highlights the transformative impact that targeted investments in skills development and business training can have on vulnerable populations.
However, the need remains immense. Thousands of young women and men across Cameroon and Sierra Leone continue to face significant barriers to employment and economic independence due to conflict, displacement, poverty, and limited access to finance.

Every investment in Bright Light Projects contributes directly to restoring dignity, strengthening livelihoods, reducing poverty, and building resilient communities capable of driving sustainable development. Together, partners can help transform vocational skills into thriving businesses, empowering vulnerable individuals to become entrepreneurs, employers, and agents of positive change in Cameroon and Sierra Leone.

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