Bibi Gohourou is 34 years old, lives with her children in Côte d'Ivoire and has a dream: to start her own beauty salon. 

Moments of Joy became acquainted with Bibi through a request from one of its project finders who also works for the Dutch foundation Stichting Wereldhuis, which helps asylum seekers who have no place to turn. 

In 1993 Bibi requested asylum in the Netherlands; in 1998, with the support of Stichting Wereldhuis, she started a beauty school course, specializing in dark skin and massage. She finished the programme in 2000, after internships in the Netherlands and Paris. 
The people of Wereldhuis found her to be a woman with a great deal of perseverance. She completed the programme under duress because her knowledge of Dutch, although reasonable, was not such that she could finish a professional programme in the same time as a native student. As a consequence, she lived with her child in emergency housing in Den Bosch for many years. Despite the difficult circumstances, she always found ways to brighten up her life and that of many other asylum-seekers, by cooking for large groups for example: both Dutch people and asylum seekers could buy the meals and consume them while they listened to music and songs from various countries. 
In 2000 her request for asylum was denied without recourse, whereupon she decided to go back to her home country.

Bibi returned with few opportunities, but with her head held high. She knew that the situation in Côte d'Ivoire was not rosy; never the less she wanted to see if she could do anything to realize the dream of having her own salon. In Abidjan and Grand Bassam where she lives, she has built up a network of potential customers who would be happy to make use of her services. 
There are almost no salons in Grand Bassam and the surrounding area, even though the women of Côte d'Ivoire are "très coquette" as Bibi says. Bibi could do a lot for women who want a facial, a massage, or to have their hair braided. A salon could also play an important role as meeting place. 
Bibi's dream is to open a small salon where she can work and can train other women to assist her. There are many single women with children in her circle. Bibi can teach a few of them to be beauticians and offer them a job, which would provide them with an income and make it possible for them to send their children to school. And the salon will offer Bibi a living and opportunities for her children. 

Côte d'Ivoire is going through an uneasy period. Rebels have devastated the country, and recently there was a veritable uprising against the French still living in the country who, in the eyes of the rebels, "dominate" the country. 
Grand Bassam is relatively quiet. Everyone wants peace and tranquillity, but the war does complicate starting up a business. The cost of living is very high, and food and housing prices continue to rise.
Efforts have been made in the Netherlands to offer Bibi financial support or a loan, and she herself has drawn up a professional plan. A micro-credit organization was sought in Côte d'Ivoire which might offer her a loan. Unfortunately, no guarantee could be found, which was a requirement. Wereldhuis is too small to provide it, and after the unrest in the country, no agencies are willing to take the risk to extend her financial support. 

Bibi is a young, enthusiastic West African woman who has gone through a great deal in her own country and in the Netherlands, and who wants to be able to take control of her future.
€ 1500 of start-up capital will help Bibi along tremendously.
For that amount she would be able to rent space and set up a salon, purchase a few beautician's chairs, plus cosmetics and hair products. If the salon does well and she proves herself as a businesswoman, she will be able to secure any further financing herself. 

Moments of Joy would like to help Bibi start up her own business. 

Total € 1500,- 

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