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From Hope to Empowerment: Mariam’s Resilience
Natitingou, Benin – In the bright sunshine of Natitingou, Mariam, a mother in her thirties, has big dreams. Her smile reflects her passion for new technologies and her dedication to building a better future, not only for her family, but also for her community. Her ambition has always been clear: make use of her digital skills by offering IT services and office automation training. Unfortunately, with limited resources, her dreams of self-reliance seemed to be fading.
To support herself, she had to manage both small businesses and day jobs.
“Despite the obstacles, I refused to give up. Of course, it was very difficult! I had to reinvent myself every day by diversifying some local activities to earn a livelihood.”
Mariam wanted to share her skills with the young people and women in her community by giving them easier access to IT tools that have become indispensable. With limited means but unshakeable dedication, she decided to volunteer her services at a local school.
The first few days were a real challenge. Few people knew about her business and she sometimes doubted whether she would make it. But little by little, pupils came to type in their homework, individuals printed out documents and young people called on her to learn how to use Microsoft Word and Excel to improve their employability.
“I embarked on this adventure with passion, as I had some knowledge, despite some doubts, to build a hopeful future. But I had to overcome each challenge and move forward with dedication.”
Shortly after starting her business, all the effort she had invested in developing her project seemed to run out of steam. The already worn and obsolete equipment she was using began to break down. Fixing it was out of reach, but Mariam didn’t give up easily.
“I knew there was a solution somewhere. I just had to find it out,” she says.
It was a new lease on life when she discovered the “Support Programme for the Prevention of Conflicts and Violent Extremism in the Border Areas of Benin and Burkina Faso, and Togo” (Programme d’appui à la prévention des conflits et de l’extrémisme violent dans les zones frontalières du Bénin, du Burkina et du Togo), an initiative aimed at strengthening the autonomy and employability of young people in vulnerable areas to develop Income Generating Activities (IGAs). Implemented by the International Organization for Migration (IOM), the programme offers border communities a means of empowering themselves and improving their livelihoods. For Mariam, this is a major opportunity.
“It was like a new beginning for me,” she recalls, her eyes sparkling.
Over a period of several weeks, she received training in IT, entrepreneurship and financial education as part of the programme.
She remembers the day she officially received new equipment from IOM to help her develop her business. Surrounded by other beneficiaries as motivated as herself, Mariam shared the same enthusiasm and hope of seeing her project come to life thanks to this much-needed support.
At the official IOM handover ceremony, Mariam is thrilled to receive her long-awaited computer equipment, turning her dream into reality. Photo 4: IOM Benin 2025 / Rodrigue FUMEY
“When I saw this equipment in my hands, I realised that it was more than just support. It was a promise for the future, for me and my community,” she confides.
Mariam can now offer better training to the young people in her community and help them build a solid digital future. She has turned her dreams into reality thanks to the “Support Programme for the Prevention of Conflicts and Violent Extremism in the Border Areas” supported by the United Nations Peacebuilding Fund (PBF). Its volunteer space has been transformed into a full-fledged digital services centre, expanding its services to meet growing demand. Her ambition is to eventually have her own business while continuing to mentor young people in her community.
In the mountains of Natitingou, a passionate mother is paving her future. Her path to autonomy is a testament to resilience, a step closer to independence, a victory for her and for all those she supports.
Written by: Patrice AFFO & Rodrigue FUMEY, IOM Benin.
