“We support entrepreneurs from various socioeconomic backgrounds, who possess a shared passion for business, fueled by a higher purpose and concern for the well-being of humanity.”
He said the technology-enabled businesses in their portfolio empower underserved markets in the sectors of education, health and wellness, and emerging marketplaces.
“We have built a national ecosystem of persons and organizations aimed to improve employment opportunities and close the unemployment gap – one investment at a time.”
Mr Maarah averred that their intent with this fund is to improve the way organizations that are working in the area of youth development make strategic decisions about where to invest. He said their strategy is to support programs and initiatives that can reach and impact the lives of young people.
“We are particularly focused on organizations that provide young people with the most effective response to the issues they face in the areas of unemployment, entrepreneurship, empowerment, and advocacy.
He said the first phase of the program is called the ‘Fire Starter’, and this he said is a flagship Sensi grant-making project, designed to contribute to the generation of employment opportunities for young people while building critical modern skills and capabilities and building institutions that can support employment in the long-term.
“This project narrative for Fire starter supports our proposal and provides additional details of the project, including a detailed statement of problem, objectives and goals, methods, processes, outcomes, deliverables, and evaluation. Our narrative explains the connections between our project objectives, the problem we are trying to solve, our methodologies, and expected outcomes.”
Mr Morris Marrah said after the fire starter, they have the ‘impact investing that is an excellent tool for them to solve very complex problems in the society. Because it offers them market-based solutions to social and environmental challenges they intend to address.
“Our strategy is to combine technology with a deep understanding of low-to-moderate income community needs, at the core of our investment strategy. Sensi Impact Fund identifies and supports best-in-class entrepreneurs who are scaling systematic change by: making better quality products and services more affordable; developing business solutions with environmental impacts; developing businesses that improve quality of life of all Sierra Leoneans through employment generation; creating information chains to facilitate market transparencies and opening up supply and developing tools that grow small businesses.
He said their Impact Investing program invests in businesses, organizations and funds that they believe have the potential to generate social and environmental impact alongside a financial return.
“We support entrepreneurs that are working to build relationships between business and the issues around them. We support them by providing access to capital and push them in the direction where they can build a more sustainable economy.”
The seven businesses that succeeded in getting grants this time were Unimax that is involved in clearing, postage, forwarding and export. They were able to get 5,000 pounds to help them develop the business so they can employ more workers.
Niranda Agric and Trading Company also received 5,000 pounds for the same purpose. Farm Investment received 3,000 pounds; Agro Fish Farm received 5,000 pounds as they are doing fish farming in Bo. Girlz Empowerment, Farm to Table and Tyls Business all received 2,000 pounds each.
Mr Morris Marrah told them that they must send quarterly report on their business so that they will be able to send them to their sponsors, which will enable other get the same benefits in the future.
