Story of a Businesswoman
In this village there are many poor families. They struggle to make a living and there is high unemployment. However, one young girl of 19 has set herself up in business. Jamila Jennifer Abubakar was brought up around flowers, owing to her mother, Annette—and English woman from Somerset. Annette taught Jamila about flowers, fruit, vegetables and plants from a very early age. In their coastal garden Jamila had her own little patch, and as she grew up, she became so involved in it that she decided to leave school and start a business. She was lucky to have her parents’ support and they bought her a vehicle for transporting her seeds and flowers.
Annette said, “Since she could read she would consume gardening books by the cartload. She learned about planting in season and she learned about the best soil and compost before she was even ten years old. She had her own vegetable garden too, but it was really flowers and plants that held her interest. Jamila now has her own business and she employs a local girl to help her.”
Jamila’s father, Ogande—who was born in the village—said “I am most proud of my daughter. She has an enterprising nature and she has already employed a young girl, who helps to bring money to her poor family. She is an example to all young people that they can achieve anything they put their minds to.”
Jamila also kindly donates 10% of her business’s pay to a local children’s charity which focuses on the poorer families in the village.
