Mana Cilvina Ili Dias is one of 60 strong women microentrepreneurs invited to join Reforsa Hamutuk microentrepreneurs development intensive training, supported by the EU

"I run a kiosk. I have started my business and failed three times because I did not have any knowledge about financial management. Then, one day, the Village Chief informed that an NGO from Dili would be coming and provide a training. I joined the microenterprise development training and was motivated to restart my kiosk business. I am happy because now, even though I do not sell many products, I always have some income. I count my money every night and I know how much money I spend and I get every day. I restarted my business with $115 of my own money. If I open since early morning, I can now earn $35-$40 a day," shared Mana Cilvina Ili Dias from Oecusse.

Mana Cilvina Ili Dias is one of 60 strong women microentrepreneurs invited to join #ReforsaHamutuk microentrepreneurs development intensive training, held from 25 to 27 July 2022 in Dili in collaboration with Assosiasaun Chega Ba Ita - ACbit and Fokupers Timor with financial support from the Europen Union. All the participants were selected out of more than 600 women and some men microentrepreneurs that had previously received Reforsa Hamutuk microenterprise development training in their municipality. They were selected based on their active participations in the previous training and their high potential in growing their businesses.

About the Reforsa Hamutuk Project implementing organisations:

Hivos is an international development organisation that seeks new solutions to persistent global issues. Founded in 1968 and inspired by humanist values, Hivos works in Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Middle East at a local, regional and global level, together with local civil society organisations in developing countries to contribute to a free, fair and sustainable world. Through smart projects in the right places, Hivos opposes discrimination, inequality, abuse of power and the unsustainable use of resources. For more information, visit: https://sea.hivos.org/

Forum Komunikasaun ba Feto Timor-Leste (Fokupers) is a non-governmental organisation in Dili, Timor-Leste focusing on women’s right. It was established in 1997 to address GBV and human rights violations against women and children, particularly those committed at the time of the Indonesian occupation. Their current works include victim services; non-gender based early childhood education, advocacy, and women empowerment—both in the community and in Timor-Leste as a nation. For more information, visit: https://fokupers.org/

Asosiasaun Chega! Ba Ita (ACbit) is a non-governmental organisation that aims to promote the values and principles underpinning the work of the CAVR—human rights, justice and reconciliation. Established in 2010 in Dili, Timor-Leste, ACbit focuses on advocacy for victims’ rights. ACbit provides training, technical assistance, support groups, and trauma healing for women victims of past conflict and their families, and creating networks of past and current victims of GBV to break the chains of impunity. For more information, visit: https://chegabaita.org/