Manufacturing a difference in Guinea-Bissau:
USAID promotes metal worker in the cashew industry

Three years ago, Viano (Yano) Mario Gomes Amontão could not have predicted the rapid success of his metalworking business. The young entrepreneur remembers the days when he had only a few part-time technicians in his small outdoor shop, and he barely made ends meet by doing small odd jobs in Canchungo, his village in northwestern Guinea-Bissau. Today, Yano proudly states that he has doubled his workforce and now struggles to keep up with growing demand.

In March 2002, Yano was one of the first technicians approached by EnterpriseWorks to participate in a program promoting economic opportunities by introducing cashew nut processing in Guinea-Bissau. The program, funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), included training local artisans in the production of cashew processing equipment designed to be of comparable quality and more affordable than imported foreign designs.

Eager to prove his skill, Yano worked hard to complete ahead of schedule small contracts directed to him through EnterpriseWorks. As his work was deemed of high quality, soon Yano was given larger contracts and before long he was even adapting some of the original designs in order to improve the overall value of his equipment. Even though complaints are rare, Yano stands by his work by providing warrantees.

Through hard work and dedication, Yano has been contracted to manufacture over $18,000 in new cashew processing equipment since his training by EnterpriseWorks. By reinvesting his profits, he has purchased more equipment and doubled his workforce by hiring five additional full-time artisans. To help cope with the extra work, Yano has taken on five local young apprentices, providing them with on-the-job training and a weekly, formal training session to develop their skills. In exchange for their part-time help, Yano pays their school-related fees, including books and clothes, in order to promote education and encourage the youth to finish their studies so they may eventually become accredited technicians.

Yano has not only gained technical assistance through the program, he has also improved his business skills as EnterpriseWorks promotes the importance of bookkeeping for his financial records. His reputable work has swiftly become known across the country so now, on his own, Yano networks and communicates directly with new clients to fill larger contracts and to ensure steady work for his employees. Yano is currently planning ways to increase his capacity by expanding his shop, purchasing more sophisticated equipment and hiring and training more local technicians.

There is no doubt in Yano’s mind that the quality of life for him and his family has improved since his introduction to EnterpriseWorks’ USAID-funded program. He can now afford to send his only son to school and is financing the education of his wife, Mariazinha, who is currently taking classes to become a nurse. Furthermore, he has saved enough money to buy land and hopes to soon move out of his small rented house and build a home for his family.

“Without the support of USAID and EnterpriseWorks, my shop would have never been as successful as it is today,” he says. “I am very grateful for their help for I would not have had the financial stability or courage to be able to send my family members to school.”

It is through programs such as these that small successes have a big impact, with USAID and EnterpriseWorks giving hope to the poor and contributing to self-sufficient local economies. Looking at the success of Yano’s metal shop, it is hard to believe that before manufacturing cashew processing equipment, Yano found that getting ahead was a tough nut to crack.