Who Qualifies for Our Programmes
We are a poverty-relief organisation, not an open service. Our support is directed to a specific group: low-income informal traders and vulnerable households in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State. These are our published criteria, so anyone can see clearly whether our programmes are meant for them.
To take part, you should meet all of these
A field officer confirms each point in person before anyone is enrolled. The criteria exist to make sure our limited resources reach the households that need them most.
1. You live in Uyo or Akwa Ibom State
Our field team can only verify and support households it can reach. We work in Uyo and its surrounding communities in Akwa Ibom State — for example Idoro Road, Itam, Aka, Ewet, and nearby areas.
2. You earn a living through informal trading
You run a small, informal business — a market stall, a roadside table, or a home-based trade. This includes petty traders, food vendors, tailors, hairdressers, artisans, and small retailers who are not registered and have no salary.
3. Your household income is low and uncertain
Your trade is the main income for your home, and it does not reliably cover food, rent, and school fees. In practice this usually means a household getting by on well under ₦150,000 per month. Income is assessed honestly and case by case during the field visit — not by a document.
4. You are a primary earner or caregiver
You are responsible for supporting yourself and, in most cases, dependents — children, elderly relatives, or others in your care.
5. For the Storefront Programme: you have no online sales channel
To join the free Trader Storefront Programme, you should not already have a working website or active online shop. The programme exists to give traders who are offline-only their first digital presence.
We prioritise those facing the greatest barriers
Where demand is greater than our capacity, we give priority to women running households, caregivers of young children, people living with a disability, widows, and traders who have recently lost their stock or capital.
If our programmes are not for you
We are a small organisation with a narrow focus, and we cannot help with every need. If you do not meet these criteria, that does not mean your situation is not real — it means another organisation is better placed to help. Where we can, we will point you toward government social-support offices in Akwa Ibom or other local charities. You are always welcome to contact us and ask.
Think you qualify?
Applying takes a few minutes and costs nothing. Every application is read by our team.
Apply to the Storefront Programme Apply for relief support