Lekamba Mindong Minko Rod Vanicia, a young artisan who knows how to take care of herself

GABON

With the economic crisis that Gabon is going through, many artisans have had to close shops. Customers are scarce and revenues are dropping freely. Vanicia, a young Gabonese student and trader living in Libreville, has also closed her doors and no longer knows which saint to devote herself to because her commercial activity is her main source of income. Night and day, she thinks and dreams of economic recovery in the country. She firmly thinks she will return to the business world, but this time with new products. Already, it is refining its new sales strategy. Artiaf met her after school.

Today, women are increasingly taking charge of themselves. In the past, many girls opted for simpler solutions to meet their needs. Usually, hoping for timely support from family, friends or acquaintances. Vanicia, she doesn't eat that dish. Despite some of the unfavorable circumstances of life on earth, this young lady learned to fend for herself by selling fruits and vegetables at an early age. Despite the absence of a father she never knew and a mother with a modest income, the shopkeeper was able to make the most of her activity, which largely allowed her to continue her studies and flourish.

Rod Vanicia was born in Franceville in 1987 to Mr. MINKO Joseph, a Fang from Equatorial Guinea, and Mrs. LEFOUME Marie Yvonne, a Gabonese national. A few years later, Vanicia decided to start a business in order to fully assume herself. She knows that in order to follow and complete her studies, she must pay her school and rent regularly. A reliable source of income is essential. It was then that she turned to the marketing of fruits and vegetables. It has an advantage, organic products are well rated on the food market, especially because of health problems such as obesity and cardiovascular diseases. In addition, it is a profitable sector that does not require a heavy financial investment.

As a strategy, it opts for the direct sale of its products to customers by going "door to door". With her savings, she raises the capital she needs to invest. She goes to the Akébé market in the commune of Libreville where she gets all kinds of vegetables. She selects several varieties, including amaranth leaves, also known as "Folong", eggplant, sorrel, cassava leaves, bitter vegetables (Tchangui), Nkumu, etc. Vegetables that she will then clean, prepare, package and store at home according to a very specific technique that she keeps secret.

In the afternoons, after school, the young shopkeeper spreads out through the city's neighbourhoods selling her organic products. This is how she could be found in several districts of the city such as Nkembo, Nzeng-Ayong, Charbonnages, Sotéga... travelling on foot and, sometimes, by taxi. It was so successful that its subscribers quickly multiplied at the same rate as its delivery rates. This business brought him enough money to be able to support himself. Thus, per day, she made a profit of 50,000 CFA francs for a net profit of 30,000 CFA francs. Customers paid in cash after delivery or on credit, which they paid at the end of each month.

Unfortunately, in 2017 with the economic crisis, activity took a big hit. Irregularities in the payment of orders were becoming more and more frequent and orders had fallen sharply. There were no more entrances. And without sufficient cash, it was a disaster. To no avail, she did everything she could to maintain her business until she was forced to hang up her boots.

With a lot of regret, she admits that she misses her business a lot. She was so happy to accomplish something useful for society while making money for herself. She was financially self-sufficient. Likewise, this busine gave him the opportunity to meet a lot of people.

Nevertheless, Vanicia keeps smiling. However, she does not despair. She thinks very quickly to bounce back in another commercial activity. Indeed, she matured the idea of reconverting into the sale of personalized household linens, especially embroidered towels. According to her, these products have the advantage of having a longer shelf life. This was not the case with fruits and vegetables.

Vanicia has a dream. She wants to finish her studies and succeed in her life. She also wants more than anything to be reunited with her father, whom she never knew and who would probably live in Equatorial Guinea. She remains convinced that she will become a good trader who will make money and will be able to better withstand the ups and downs of the economic environment. She urged the young women to follow her example. It is better to be self-sufficient than to always wait and look for a hypothetical donor.

Currently, the young Vanicia is the mother of two boys and is currently preparing for a vocational training course in customs transit at a local college. And hearing to see her again on the streets of Libreville with her new products, Artiaf wishes her a lot of courage and good luck !!

Armel Séverin MBEMBO

Article first published on Artiaf on March 15, 2018