Donnerstag, 17. Mai 2018
Mr. Camara took part in the StartHope@Home program in Munich as he will be opening a restaurant in Gambia.
Mr. Camara was one of the first participants in the project “StartHope@Home” in Munich. A return counselling service advised him about the opportunity to participate in the qualification program of Social Impact before his planned departure to Gambia in May 2018. Mr. Camara, who already had much experience in the catering industry, plans to open a restaurant in Gambia. The StartHope@Home team supported Mr. Camara in Munich with workshops and coaching in the areas of "planning", "financing" as well as "markets and customers", to further develop his business idea. Before his departure, he has now already very concrete plans for the opening of the restaurant:
"Before I came here I thought I would just make like all the other restaurants that I know in Gambia, offering many different plates. Due the workshop program I decided to focus on a few plates and make them really special, so that people want to come to my restaurant just to have these plates. Opening my restaurant, I want to serve the best cakes, pizza and chicken pie."
With the support of volunteer helpers and friends in Germany, Mr. Camara was able to collect donations for the development of his restaurant in Gambia. He will also receive financial support from the return counselling service Coming Home in Munich. Moreover, Mr. Camara wishes to have a contact person on-site if problems or questions in the development phase occur.
"Starting something new, you can make many mistakes. To come here helped me to gather knowledge and make a plan about how to finance my project, how to employ people, how to deal with customers and with competition. I learned, for example, how to start a business on a test run, with a small capital, with my own money instead of loans. Thanks to the project and thanks to you people. I didn't expect to learn so many things here. I really appreciate this opportunity."
For more information about the still ongoing fundraising, click here . We wish Mr. Camara all the best for his future!
Social Impact Lab Munich, May 4th, 2018
