Phase 2 FAQ

What happens to the staff?
Our staff is our family! Because we are focusing on these 15 business owners and there will no longer be a need for daily training classes, our need for most administrative staff is also coming to an end. Our staff will be given full salaries for 2020 and into 2021 as we work with them to find other employment or grow their own small businesses to fully support themselves. It’s another step in independence and sustainability.

What about funding?
Because the formalized training is concluding to launch Phase 2, many of our operational overhead expenses are going away, making way for funds to be allocated to these new business grants. Our funds raised will be able to go much further and hopefully have an even greater impact throughout communities in Lusaka. To give towards Phase 2, click here.

Will you have any more graduations?
Not for the foreseeable future. Our focus now will be on the co-op, helping small businesses take on apprentices to train other women in specific focuses (only school uniforms, or only grocery stands, etc.) for rapid and organic multiplication.

Will you keep going there?
Yes! A giant yes! We’re thrilled to provide one-on-one coaching and mentorship to women who have been in our CiH family for years now to see these businesses really take off.

Why now? What led to this decision?
Our program has been running just fine. Each year we look ahead and work to advance our mission: to empower vulnerable women through education and economic opportunity. We want to do so in the most sustainable way possible. While our educational program has been hugely successful, it still creates a layer of dependency on our US-based organization. We know our CiH grads are capable of running great businesses. We’ve seen them do it already. So while there’s no perfect time, we do feel that the time is now to take this next step of sustainability by launching Phase 2. There have also been several changes in local policies that haven’t forced our hand, but have affected us as an organization. In terms of our vision, it makes sense to start now. In terms of finances, it makes sense to start now. In terms of some local challenges, it makes sense to start now. So why not start now?

What about the microloan program?
We are phasing out the microloan program to introduce business grants to the co-op of 15 entrepreneurs. Because they have proven success in their businesses, we feel this approach will advance their business quicker and more effectively. We will still be requiring applications for each business grant, as we did for each microloan, to ensure that each woman is at an appropriate place in her business to request funding.

I have more questions. Who can I talk to?
We’re so glad you asked! Feel free to email info@clothedinhope.org with any other questions you have and our US staff would love to chat with you!