Yaharakari Women and Youth Empowerment Foundation

Our History

This foundation was conceived in 2012 by Mrs. Rejoice Mshelbwala, when she received a national award as best Woman in Poultry and Feed Mill Production in 2011 in Nigeria by the central bank of Nigeria. In her quest to replicate the honor done to her, she starts thinking on how to empower women and youth, calumniating into the word“YAHARAKARI” meaning how can I do it? The journey started with the establishment of a tailoring, bits making and baking center with 20 women, and 2 trainers, it gradually rises to 150 trainees. The trainees and the trainer were all being paid by Mrs Rejioce Mshelbwala including the items for baking and consumable were all provided. This innovation was so cherished by the community stakeholder, they were so impressed with this innovation and allocated a big plot of land for the center unfortunately there is no fund to develop it.

She was later advice by the district head of marama/ kidang(MAINA USMAN MAI MUSTAPHA) ward in Hawul local government area of Borno state, to lunch for support so that the foundation can expand the center and register the foundation to a full-fledged Civil society organization (CSO) the CSO was lunched but a token of money was realized and few sewing machines was acquired. The foundation was also registered as CSO on 3/2/2014. As time goes on it become difficult to meet up with the travelling challenges from Biu to Marama, the CSO was therefore re-located to Biu. For good to community, she was later recommended to the wife of the vice president her excellency Mrs. Dolapo Yemi Osinbajo who sported the CSO with food items and clothing materials for distribution to IDPS in Biu local government of Borno state in 2016. Following the good and bold step taken by her Excellency, the wife of the president her Excellency Hajiya Aishatu Buhari also contributed her own quarter by sending similar items for onward distribution to the IDPS. ‘Mrs Mshelbwala in her magnanimity to women and youth empowerment partner with GIZ on Community Development Planning (CDP) funded by European union and German cooperation worked in Hawul and Shani local government area of Borno state in 2019- 2021. We have also trained over 600 women and youth on computer literacy and digital skill which include Basic digital litracy,social media marketing and graphic design in patership with GDPH AND ZOA INTERNATIONAL Funded by EU from 2023 todate. We wish to continue the empowerment but there is no fund to support the trainees in aspect of IT equipment and human resources. Currently we are partnering with OXFAM implementing a project titled “support to improving social cohesion through community development planning in three local government area, Biu and Kwaya kusar LGA in Borno state and Guyuk LGA in Adamawa state”.

Yaharakari women and youth empowerment, a non-profit, non-political, nongovernmental organization (NGO) dedicated to alleviating women and youth challenges by creating economic opportunities through developing entrepreneurial skills and innovations The NGO hopes to eventually serve all women and youth within Borno state; however, the pilot project will commence in southern Borno who has the highest number of unemployed youths. Yaharakari women and youth empowerment maiden project will target six communities, one from each of the six-local government in the southern part of Borno state, targeting at least 50 women and youth who are usually the worse hit in every challenging conundrum.

By 2018, our impact had grown significantly, reaching over 5,000 beneficiaries annually. We introduced our education support program, providing scholarships and school supplies to underprivileged children.

In 2020, despite the challenges of the pandemic, we adapted our programs to continue serving communities through remote learning and small business support initiatives.

Today, Yaharakari operates across multiple states in Nigeria, with a dedicated team of professionals and volunteers working tirelessly to empower women and youth through education, skills development, and economic opportunities.

Mrs. Rejoice Mshelbwala

Executive Director

"Empowering communities through sustainable development"

Success Stories

"I have worked with civil society organizations for a long time but I have never seen the one that is people or community oriented as Yaharakari and GIZ. You not only give our communities in Hawul food, but you taught us how to be self reliant. What you did in Hawul, if it is the same that you did in Shani, we will live to remember it always because the development is from the grassroots"

- Mr. Adamu Salihu Wakawa,
The Director of Budget and Planning Hawul Local Government

"you people are just exceptional because it has been long, no Organization have come and brought us together as a community to discuss issues affecting us. When you people came for the data collection, we thought you are one of those who usually come and take advantage of our situation to extort money from our people and make empty promises. But seeing you people come back and gather us together, is something else. Since the time I become an adult, I have never seen a White man coming to this our land, but as a result of your coming and GIZ, the White man came, shook hands with us, and even speak Hausa more fluent. Yaharakari and GIZ, we are really grateful. That which you have taught us through this CDP will be maintained."

- Mr. Danladi Ibrahim Gwaskara,
The Secretary to the District Head of Gwaskara,

"Madam Rejoice Mshelbwala, you are a genius (Mwala apa sal). You began something small while I was the district head of Marama Kidang, I encouraged you by then, not knowing that it will grow into something that will place food on the table of the poor. I will not call names but many NGOs have come and made our people like goats and sheep running after Offal (Dusa), but you are different, you came to build our people you, helped us identify our problems and proffer solution. You have done your part, now it is left for our people and the local Government authority, the traditional leadership to take up where you have left. But I assure you that your organization will live to be remembered by our people."

- Bundi Usman Mustapha Aliyu
The District Head of Bulungwi