INSPIRING STORIES FROM
KIMBI ABIGAIL SABINA NFORBA NAOMI DINAMONA RUTH NJI
HAPPY INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY - MARCH 8TH
KIMBI ABIGAIL NGUNSI
HARDWORK PAYS! IT IS PREFERABLE TO DIRTY YOUR HANDS AND MAKE CLEAN MONEY; THE MISSION IS FOR US ALL TO WIN TOGETHER. orking as a cleaner especially in Cameroon is one of those jobs which sometimes comes with a lot of prejudice and embarrassment. As a result, many ladies wouldn’t hesitate to shun away from anything in that direction. However, Kimbi Abigail Ngunsi, a single mother of 1, saw a mine in this sector, took the bull by the horns and is effortlessly giving meaning to this indispensable but undermined job. Today the single mother has become a household name on the national territory and is gradually building an empire. She made out time from her very tight schedule to share a piece of her success story with us.
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SMM: Hello Abigail. Thank you for accepting to be part of this issue. Abigail: The pleasure is mine. SMM: How did you get into home cleaning as a full time job? Can you share your story with us? Abigail: When I lost my job as a secretary at a fashion designing house, I knew I was back to floor level. I needed to get a job at all costs. I was aware searching for a job was not going to be easy but it turned out to be more difficult than I thought. Bills were accumulating and life getting tougher.
I knew I was very good at house chores. I had always found pleasure in doing chores at home, so I could easily serve as a maid. However the idea of moving in to live in someone’s house was not an option for me, especially seeing that I had my daughter to take care of. One morning, it dawned on me to write on my social media handles that I’m available for home laundry and other chores. I was amazed at the number of people who needed my services and that is how I got calls every blessed day for work; and behold Kimbi’s Home Services was birthed. Now, we have nine workers in three cities (Yaoundé, Douala and Buea). Our dream is to alleviate poverty by reducing unemployment especially among young girls. We want to monetise what society has always considered women’s natural responsibility. Our advantage is you don’t get to add unnecessary people in your house because we work and leave before the close of the day. We desire to purchase portable washing machines to facilitate the laundry, have pressing houses in all major towns and serve as a recruiting and distribution centre for young girls who desire to do the kind of work we do and people who need these services. SMM: Impressive! Working as a “Cleaning Lady” especially among Africans; it always comes with a lot of prejudice, how do your clients treat you?
Abigail: Hahaha the mentality of a black man is totally very different from that of a white man lol. It hasn’t been easy all this while. Well, some see it as a dirty job which they can’t and can never do. Most of my clients have been so nice to me all this while. I don’t find any challenges though I have encountered a few challenges which I overcame. But overall, it has been a great experience. Most of my customers congratulate me, encourage me by increasing payment and most of them treat me like a sister, daughter, or friend. So, it has been a great encounter with my customers, and I pray the spirit continues like that. SMM: One of the advisories in the fight against Covid-19 has been social distancing. Your job particularly requires you to be in contact with different people, what preventive measures do you take in the execution of your duties?
Abigail: Before going to a customer or client’s house, I always have my face mask, hand sanitizer, and I avoid hugging or shaking hands with customers. I think a simple “Hello, Good morning” is very okay and much more welcome SMM: Of course it is. So what channels do you use to market your services? How do you get clients?
Abigail: Online, especially on Facebook. Facebook has been my business place all this while. I always make sure I constantly post my business every blessed day. Even if I don’t get comments, likes and shares, I know people are watching and they always call me for my services. I always leave my contact on Facebook too, for customers to contact me (680234371). SMM: What are your greatest difficulties doing what you do?
Abigail: Water! Water has been my biggest challenge all this while. It has not been easy! Secondly, you know, constantly exposing your hands to water containing chemicals like Omo (laundry detergent), Eau De Javel (bleach), etc isn’t good for the skin. At times my hands peel off but God be praised, I always get healed (chuckles). SMM: Awww sorry to hear that. I think you should always wear gloves while cleaning to prevent these chemical burns. Do you feel like you would love to stop doing it someday if you got a chance at another job or would you want to expand your cleaning services?
Abigail: Haha I don’t even dream of stopping this business. It pays! And I find so much joy doing it too. And more to that, I feel so happy being my own boss. I don’t get to hear insults or orders from other people. Neither am I dependent on a monthly salary. I’m thinking by the Grace of God to get washing machines and other stuff used in a Dry Cleaner to open Abi’s Pressing in future. But even if I open the Dry Cleaner, I will still continue with my home services.
SMM: What advice do you have to give to young girls out there who are hesitant to do some jobs because of the prejudices/ complexes involved? Abigail: Haha I don’t even dream of stopping this business. It pays! And I find so much joy doing it too. And more to that, I feel so happy being my own boss. I don’t get to hear insults or orders from other people. Neither am I dependent on a monthly salary. I’m thinking by the Grace of God to get washing machines and other stuff used in a Dry Cleaner to open Abi’s Pressing in future. But even if I open the Dry Cleaner, I will still continue with my home services. SMM: What advice do you have to give to young girls out there who are hesitant to do some jobs because of the prejudices/ complexes involved? Abigail: Abigail: Let’s not wait on the Government to employ us. There are many things out here that you can do to get money, to become a boss of your own and your own CEO. Hardwork pays! It is preferable to dirty your hands and make clean money. And the mission is for us all to win together. Always pray, be determined and focused. Thank you!
SMM: No, thank you Abigail. To learn more about Abigail and her cleaning services, please visit her Facebook page; Facebook: Abigail Kims
SM REACTS WITH SMARTY
DISCOVER WHAT IS MAKING HEADLINES IN THE CAMEROONIAN ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY WITH THE HILARIOUS HOST, SMARTY
SABINA NFORBA
MUCH SUPPORT IS STILL REQUIRED FROM PARENTS, EDUCATORS, AND MANAGERS TO SEE THAT BOTH MEN AND WOMEN FEEL VALUED, REGARDLESS OF GENDER.
At a time when most young ladies are settling in for the comfort of the beauty and fashion industry as alternatives for financial breakthrough, one has distinguished herself by bringing about a shift in paradigm. Since 2019, Sabina Nforba Ngwanchang has taken her passion to another level and is devoted to empowering women in an area which has often been considered a sexist milieu. Through her startup, Afritech, the young computer engineer is redefining entrepreneurship and equipping young ladies with 21st century skills to enable them become employable and self-sustainable critical thinkers and innovators through STEM. Sa Majesté Magazine caught up with the emerging leader to gain some insights on how she’s going about with her quest. SMM: What is STEM? Can you enlighten us about it? Sabina: STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. It is a term that describes the disciplines in these core areas. STEM education is the approach of learning that does not only teach these subjects in isolation, but goes further to introduce an applied approach based on real-world applications. STEM is not just these subjects but it is an entire thought process that provokes critical thinking and problem-solving. Statistics show that the fastest-growing jobs and highest paid jobs are STEM jobs. SMM: The tech industry in Cameroon has been considered a predominantly sexist one, how has your quest of getting more women into tech been? Sabina:
Well, it is not just the tech industry in Cameroon, it is every tech industry in the world. Gender bias is a general long standing problem even though it is more pronounced in the tech sector because of the low representation of women, especially in executive positions. This is a consequence of several factors including culture and stereotypes. In Cameroon, like in other countries, baby girls are given dolls to play with while the most interactive toys are given to boys. While I do not judge the decision of parents who want the best for their kids, I think toys should be offered based on preference, and not necessarily gender. How about a mix? As these kids grow many of these external factors cause girls to shy from tech and STEM in general. This is the fundamental reason for the low representation of girls in science classes or clubs. This pattern transcends into the corporate world where, despite amassing a majority of degrees worldwide (with less than 30% of these being STEM degrees), women still end up at entry level positions. Thus, leaving very few women to fight the subtle sexism. This consequently accounts for low pay rates and few promotions at the executive level. Some progress has however been made over the last few years. Thanks to the programs that promote women in tech, many more girls are developing an interest in STEM subjects. However, much support is still required from parents, educators, and managers to see that both men and women feel valued, regardless of gender.
SMM: I totally agree about the world being very gender bias especially Africa. The Advent of the Covid-19 pandemic has
seen many businesses migrating online. What impact has this had on your project of getting more women into tech? Sabina: If there is one thing the COVID-19 pandemic has exposed, it is our unpreparedness for the digital transformation, otherwise known as the fourth industrial revolution. At the beginning of confinement, we canceled all in-person activities and moved them online. Running activities online came with numerous problems including the cost of Internet connection, shortage of smart devices to connect to the internet, and lack of digital skills. These challenges reflected negatively on the number of participants and the quality of knowledge attained. On the flip side, the pandemic amplified the necessity of digital skills and motivated people of all ages to develop an interest in tech skills, causing a boost in the number of people interested in gaining these skills for business, education, and entertainment. Post-pandemic recovery plans should include policies that encourage capacity-building programs to transfer digital skills to everyone, especially women. SMM: What in your opinion are some of the advantages that women stand to run by turning to technology? Sabina: Several opportunities in the form of scholarships, mentorships, grants, and recruitments are being created worldwide to encourage female participation in tech. Women who are entering the tech industry or who have already been there, stand a big chance of benefiting from these opportunities. SMM: What in your opinion are some of the advantages that women stand to run by
turning to technology? Sabina: Several opportunities in the form of scholarships, mentorships, grants, and recruitments are being created worldwide to encourage female participation in tech. Women who are entering the tech industry or who have already been there, stand a big chance of benefiting from these opportunities. SMM: What are the various programs you are offering to interested ladies? Sabina: We have a robust mentorship program with mentors who are young professionals who devote their time and resources to act as role models to girls interested in tech. In addition to this, we organize Women in Tech (WIT) activities such as hackathons, boot camps, and summits to encourage networking between young professionals and leading females in tech. SMM: Any advice for other young women interested in following their passion (as you did) in life? Sabina: Yes, I do! Strive to get to the top of your industry, irrespective of what industry you currently are in. The presence of a female leader will usually take into consideration decisions and policies that support women and the next generation of women will be thankful to you. SMM: Thank you for this amazing session, it was truly humbling. Sabina: Thank you too. To learn more about Sabina and STEM, please visit her social media pages: Twitter: @STEMgirll Twitter: @AfritechHub
DOUALA I D A S S U O M A N BO M 8:00AM - 8:00P 675742848
NAOMI
DINAMONA
BEING A MOM GIVES ME THE CONFIDENCE AND STRENGTH TO DO ANYTHING!
At 26, the young Naomi Dinamona would comfortably fit in the litany of people who are using technology to bring about a change in their community; after the groundwork laid by the likes of Churchill Mambe, Alain Nteff, Arthur Zang, and the Silicon Mountain team. The young electrical engineer and mother has scored points on every rung of the echelon of innovation on her way up; gliding through two major areas which continue being a thorn to the flesh of many Cameroonians. As she outrightly states “... i aspire to contribute to the transformation of the energy sector of my country and continent as a whole. I co-founded an Engineering office whose mission is improving the energy efficiency of our electric system”. One would have imagined that the weight of nursing two babies would have been a major hurdle to the Clever Electric company co-founder, but her latest product, Leelou Baby food is testimony that she is effortly blending motherhood and her dreams. Sail with us as we discover this wonder woman. SMM: What was the inspiration behind the homemade organic Leelou Baby Food? Naomi: My daughter Leelou. I was very excited about feeding her when she started solids and shared the whole process on my Instagram, mostly for fun though to be honest. At first I never imagined I could sell baby purées to other mothers. Till one mom asked me to do some for her baby. That’s what prompted me to think deeply into it and turned my passion into a
business. SMM: Apparently you’re an Engineer! So how did we go from “Engineering” to organic baby food making? It’s intriguing! Naomi: Yes I’m an engineer and I understand your intrigue, it’s quite funny. But motherhood happened I guess; and as people always say, being a mom changes a lot. Saying it changed my life is a euphemism. Being a mom gives me the confidence and strength to do anything! SMM: Do you have a team? And how does the dynamics work? Naomi: Of course, there’s no company without a team. First I work with my companion and business partner Cabrel Mbakam (Leelou’s Daddy for the story) with whom I started everything. We complete ourselves a lot in business, we are extremely ambitious and fearless together. Also, I have a team of 8 amazing and strong ladies and 1 delivery man. What I love about my team is that everybody is focused towards transforming this company (quite small for now) into a big giant and that is our driving force. SMM: That’s amazing! I love the idea of working with a pediatrician and infant nutritionist too, since it’s about baby food. So how did the Cameroonian market receive your products?
Naomi: Surprisingly enough, quite good. For the little story, Leelou Baby Food started off in my kitchen and stayed in that model for 5 months. During that time we had a good number of clients and faithful moms and it’s that interest that made our crowdfunding campaign to be successful. The market welcomed this because they actually had a problem of time and expertise to make their own baby’s food. Also, because of the fact that our purées are homemade (like natural) and we have a large variety. And lastly, because our ingredients are 100% Cameroonian. Now of course, we’re aiming for a bigger market and putting in the efforts needed to do so. SMM: Have you had any deals with any of the big supermarkets in the country to distribute? Because some readers might want to know where to purchase them both online and offline. Naomi: We do home deliveries in Douala and Yaoundé and mail to other towns (Limbe, Kribi, Bafoussam, etc.). Orders are done on our website www.leeloubabyfood.com or on WhatsApp/Call on 694342007. We equally have our jars at Pharmacie Bell (opposite Super U Bali) in Douala and a pharmacy in Yaoundé we’re still to announce. The supermarket path is not our model for now but we’re getting there: leeloubabyfood.com SMM: Where do you see the Leelou brand in the next five years? Naomi: Feeding the children of the world with African resources is our ambition and we’ll be closer to that in 5 years. We’ll have a broader range of products that we’ll export all over the world. Feeding not only babies but also bigger kids. In 5 years, whenever a mom will think of feeding her child, she’ll think Leelou Baby Food. SMM: I have a baby too and I totally understand
the importance of organic baby food. Any final words of encouragement to maybe another young woman out there scared of thinking out the box for fear of “not making it”? Naomi: If you don’t try, you’ll never know if you would have made it. Don’t live with regrets, try and do the best you can. Trust yourself, surround yourself with positivity, expertise and GO for your dreams. SMM: Great! The advent of the COVID-19 brought many such ventures to a halt; did it have any impact on your business? And how are you coping? Naomi: Well, when Covid-19 was at its peak, we were in the middle of our crowdfunding campaign. Fortunately enough, the numbers started decreasing when we reopened. We respect the distancing measures though; because it’s still a reality in our country SMM: Thank you so much Naomi. It was a pleasure having you! Naomi: You’re very welcome and thank you too. To learn more about Naomi Dinamona and the Leelou Baby Food brand, please visit their social media pages: Instagram: @leeloubabyfood Instagram: @naomidinamona Twitter: @leeloubabyfood Twitter: @Naomi_Audreyy Facebook: Leelou Baby Food
s t i t e p s e d e d a M s t po n u o r e m in Ca
NJI RUTH
I STARTED PAINTING AS A RESULT OF THE SOCIO-POLITICAL CRISIS IN CAMEROON. SCHOOLS WERE NO LONGER FUNCTIONING EFFECTIVELY, SO I HAD TO TURN TO PAINTING.
SMM: Hello Ruth, thanks for accepting to be a part of this issue. Ruth: Hi, thank you very much for choosing to put me in the spotlight. SMM: How did you get into painting? Is it a passion or do you do it to earn a living? How many years have you been painting? We’re honestly intrigued! Ruth: I started painting as a result of the sociopolitical crisis in cameroon. Schools were no longer functioning effectively, so I had to turn to painting. Painting to me is a passion which I now use to earn a living. I have been in the painting field for about two and a half years. SMM: Hello Ruth, thanks for accepting to be a part of this issue. Ruth: Hi, thank you very much for choosing to put me in the spotlight. SMM: How did you get into painting? Is it a passion or do you do it to earn a living? How many years have you been painting? We’re honestly intrigued! Ruth: I started painting as a result of the sociopolitical crisis in cameroon. Schools were no longer functioning effectively, so I had to turn to painting. Painting to me is a passion which
I now use to earn a living. I have been in the painting field for about two and a half years. SMM: Hello Ruth, thanks for accepting to be a part of this issue. Ruth: Hi, thank you very much for choosing to put me in the spotlight. SMM: How did you get into painting? Is it a passion or do you do it to earn a living? How many years have you been painting? We’re honestly intrigued! Ruth: I started painting as a result of the sociopolitical crisis in cameroon. Schools were no longer functioning effectively, so I had to turn to painting. Painting to me is a passion which I now use to earn a living. I have been in the painting field for about two and a half years. Some years ago, Nji Ruth took a decision to follow her passion amidst an avalanche of criticisms. Today, she has created a niche for herself in a domain where one would hardly expect to find a lady, painting of buildings. Sa Majesté Magazine took interest in this fascinating lady and took a closer look at her activities. SMM: Aww so sorry about that. The society (especially in Africa) always look at women at work as an object for their sexual cravings and it’s sad! Is painting something you want to quit doing if given a chance for a different job or is it a passion you’d want
to expand on? Ruth: The job is actually my passion now and it gives me joy. So, if i am opportuned to make a choice , i will like to expand on this field. SMM: (reflecting…) Where or how do you market your services? How do you get clients? Ruth: I market my services on social media through various platforms like WhatsApp, Facebook and Instagram. I also market my work verbally. SMM: What are the greatest difficulties you face doing what you do? Ruth: Inadequate funding. This is due to the fact that I have to still expand on my knowledge about the field. SMM: Yes I understand. What advice do you have to give to young girls out there who are hesitant to do some jobs because of the prejudices/ complexes involved? Ruth: I will advise every girl out there to muster the courage to do anything constructive and decent no matter what people say. SMM: This was amazing! Thank you very much Ruth. Ruth: You’re welcome and thanks too. Very much.
To learn more about Ruth and how you can hire her from her services, please visit her Facebook page: Facebook: Nji Ruth.
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STORY TIME WITH BABY HEART
Hello Queens, let me take off some time from my busy Cocomelon and music watching schedule to share a story with you. For those who don’t know me I’m baby Heart Anthony; a happy little girl (well, that’s just a summary of everything you need to know about me) living in Atlanta - Georgia, USA. You might have noticed, not long ago I visited Cameroon. Of the numerous activities during this trip , what I enjoyed most was listening to so many interesting tales and fables. These were usually spiced up with beautiful songs (I wish I could write the melodies down in my story too). I enjoyed every bit of them and trust me I memorized them. I sing at least two of them every morning, clapping to the rhythms of these beautiful pieces. Today I’d tell you the story of the hunter and the bone in the forest.
Many years ago in a very little kingdom, lived a king, his family and his people. This king had a son and a daughter who spent their evenings listening to stories from their father. Life went on well till the king came back very sad one day. For weeks his countenance didn’t change and he no longer told his children Knowing that he was lazy and wouldn’t be able to take his time to select the most beautiful flowers, the boy ran out first to make sure he stumbled on the first set of fine flowers. He was so happy at the roses he picked that he even began to picture the kind of reward he was going to get. Satisfied and convinced that he had made the better pick, he waited for his sister to finish her search so he could compare. To his greatest dismay, when he saw her coming out from the path which led to the forest, she had a very big bouquet of beautifully sorted flowers of all genres. Filled with anger, he killed his sister, seized her flowers and ran
home. those interesting stories in the evenings as he had always done. Some weeks later, he summoned his children and told them what could once more put a smile on his face. When he got home with the bouquet, his father was rather surprised and suspicious. His instincts told him that there was something fishy in the offing. He knew his son was very distracted and impatient and therefore couldn’t have been the one who assembled the flowers. The king waited for a while to see what his daughter would bring home. Noticing that her return wasn’t forthcoming, the king enquired where she was. He burst into tears saying she was attacked and killed by wild animals. Meantime,a hunter who had gone out earlier to check his traps noticed that every time he stepped his foot on a particular spot he got someone singing. So he got closer to listen The closer he came to the area he had stepped on, the louder the melody got. He heard the beautiful voice sing out « Hunterman , hunterman don’t smash my bone, hunterman, hunterman don’t smash my bone. My brother killed me in the bush and took my flowers home. Oh chingmalinga chingmalinga chingmalinga chin chin chin chin”. Having listened to this, the hunter ran to the village to tell all and sundry what he had just witnessed. So, when the king got word of this he summoned the hunter to take him there. When they got there, the hunter stepped on the spot and she sang once more. The king wept...... I’m so sorry I have to watch this new episode of Cody on Cocomelon. Hope you enjoyed my story. Remind me to sing when I come back. TO BE CONTINUED…
Lionel Bidzogo Editor & Writer Sa Majesté Magazine
We were going to introduce Sa Majeste Weddings earlier this year but because of the pandemic we were unable to, given we weren’t sure of how things will turn out. From the pandemic, to the lockdowns and everything in between, it’s been quite a year! However, we have noticed a spike in engagements and weddings as the year 2020 was ending. Turns out the lockdown wasn’t that bad after all. Despite 2020 being a rollercoaster, weddings and celebrations of love blossomed. From grand weddings to small weddings with social distancing, we’re are going to delve into all those. So, stay tuned!