In Nigeria, resilience is a way of life, with people constantly adapting and pushing forward despite significant challenges. Livelihood struggles are often less about effort and ambition and more about the absence of opportunity, resources, or timely support. Sometimes, a single intervention can transform hardship into a story of renewed hope, entrepreneurship, and resilience.
In Northwest Nigeria, the Prevention Facility Project has been enabling individuals to rewrite their lives, providing tools, guidance, and vocational support to help people regain dignity, purpose, and stability. The initiative focuses on empowering artisans and young people, fostering growth that extends beyond individuals to entire communities.
One such story is that of Umar Garba, a 47-year-old father of eight whose passion for tailoring has been central to his life. For years, Umar relied on an old sewing machine, which gradually became unusable. His productivity dropped, he lost clients, and his livelihood suffered. Despite his talent and dedication, the lack of proper tools left him frustrated and struggling to provide for his family.
Umar’s turning point came when he was selected as a beneficiary of the Northwest Prevention Facility Project’s Livelihood Support Initiative. Through the program, he received vocational training and a grant of 300,000 Naira, which he used to purchase a high-quality sewing machine and rent a small shop. With better equipment and a dedicated workspace, his work improved instantly, clients returned, and new opportunities emerged.
Today, Umar’s income has stabilized, his confidence has grown, and he has taken on apprentices from his community. He now trains young people, repairs his old machine, and has also trained his wife to specialize in female outfits, creating a family-run tailoring system. Umar’s journey exemplifies how timely support can restore livelihoods, strengthen resilience, and create sustainable pathways to stability, reflecting the broader mission of the Prevention Facility Project in Northwest Nigeria.
