From Struggle to Success: How DRF Helped Amina Build Her Business
Amina Usman was a single mother of three with a dream to own a tailoring shop. With a micro-grant from Doxa Relief Foundation, that dream became reality.
## The Beginning
Amina Usman had always had a gift for fashion. Growing up in a small community in FCT, she spent her evenings sewing clothes for neighbours, earning just enough to feed her children.
When her husband passed away in 2023, Amina found herself solely responsible for three children under the age of ten. Her dream of opening a tailoring shop seemed further away than ever. ## Finding DRF A neighbour told Amina about Doxa Relief Foundation's Financial Empowerment Program.
She applied for a micro-grant, nervous and uncertain whether she would qualify. > "I almost didn't apply. I thought, who am I to ask for help? But a friend encouraged me to try. That decision changed my life."
## The Transformation
Amina received a grant of ₦150,000 along with three months of business mentorship. With the funds, she purchased a professional sewing machine, fabric inventory, and paid for a small shop space. Within six months, her tailoring business was generating steady income — enough to pay school fees for all three children and save a little each month.
## Today, Amina now employs two apprentices from her community, passing on her skills and creating a ripple of opportunity. She recently expanded her shop and has begun taking orders for corporate uniforms.
**Amina's story is proof that the right support at the right time can change everything.**