At the centre of Umareri community in Maiduguri, north-east Nigeria, 48-year-old Falmata Bulama had for a long relied on her skill in making kulikuli -a groundnut cake that is well known in Nigeria - to sustain her family. However, she could only produce small quantities, and the modest income she earned was barely enough to cover their daily expenses.
Standing on her own two feet, one kulikuli at a time
"Life was very tough " Falmata recalls. "I learned how to make kulikuli and local perfumes, but I did not have the equipment and resources to turn these skills into a viable business. I barely earned enough to take care of my family, let alone think about the future."
Community consultation: hearing those in need
Her situation improved when the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) along with the community itself assessed their most urgent needs. During consultations, Falmata and others had the opportunity to share what kind of support would be most meaningful to them.
"We were heard," smiles Falmata. "They didn't assume what we wanted -instead, they asked us, and that made all the difference."
This participatory approach ensured that the support that was provided was tailored to address the real needs of the population. With funding assistance from the Nigerian Humanitarian Fund (NHF), NRC was able to deliver specialised assistance that would bring long-term benefits.
"Life was very tough " Falmata recalls. "I learned how to make kulikuli and local perfumes, but I did not have the equipment and resources to turn these skills into a viable business. I barely earned enough to take care of my family, let alone think about the future."
Community consultation: hearing those in need
Her situation improved when the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) along with the community itself assessed their most urgent needs. During consultations, Falmata and others had the opportunity to share what kind of support would be most meaningful to them.
"We were heard," smiles Falmata. "They didn't assume what we wanted -instead, they asked us, and that made all the difference."
This participatory approach ensured that the support that was provided was tailored to address the real needs of the population. With funding assistance from the Nigerian Humanitarian Fund (NHF), NRC was able to deliver specialised assistance that would bring long-term benefits.
Empowering Falmata: tools for transformation
Recognising Falmata's existing skillset, NRC offered her crucial business expansion resources for her kulikuli business: 50kg groundnuts, a comfortable working bench, sieves to enhance processing sophistication, frying spoons, pots, a basin, and 5 litres of vegetable oil.
“When I received these products, I felt I had turned a new page in my life," she says. "Before, I sold little because that is all I could do. I would sell some and use the money to buy food for the household. Nowadays, things have changed. I produce more, sell more, and earn more.".
The impact was immediate. Falmata's profits grew, and she was able to use another skill long forgotten - creating local perfumes. "I invested some of the profit in buying material for the perfumes," she reports. "It was like recapturing part of myself."
Investing in the future: chickens and education
Committed to fostering greater success, Falmata spent some of her earnings on a small flock of 15 chickens, which she will then resell for profit during the festival season following Ramadan.
"I don't want to miss any opportunities," she claims. "It is in this way that I will be able to secure a better life for my family."
Her added income has also enabled her to assume another vital role - paying for her grandchildren's schooling. "I can now cover their school fees and educational expenses," she proudly declares. "Education is the key to a better future, and I'm glad I can help make it happen."
Giving back: training and empowering others
Falmata's journey is not merely one of personal success, it's one of uplifting others with her. Grateful for the assistance she received, she has trained three other women in her village, sharing her skills so they too can be self-sufficient.
“We work together now," she says. "I provide them with some of the produce to sell, and soon they will be independent. I understand what it’s like to struggle. That is why I would like to help other women. I think that soon they too will be independent.".
Her commitment to community empowerment reflects the broader goals of NRC’s intervention: to create sustainable change that benefits everyone.
Our impact
This progamme, supported by the Nigerian Humanitarian Fund (NHF), not only transformed Falmata's life but the lives of many other women and girls in the community as well. We empowered 150 women and girls with resources and skills, setting them on the path to economic independence.
The results have been uplifting. Women who once struggled to survive are now employed, saving, and supporting their families. The impact is felt throughout, as information and skills are shared throughout the community.
A hopeful future
As Falmata looks towards the future, she is hopeful and grateful. "Now, I know that I can take care of my family. My business is growing, and I am not alone. We are all moving forward as a group," she says, her eyes shining with hope.
Her story reflects the power of communities working together—showing that with the right resources, expertise, and a helping hand, even the smallest enterprise can flourish and change lives.
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