Fatima Empowerment Program
Your 6-month growth journey
Start: 9 February 2026
Milestone: 10 May 2026 – 2nd tuition payment (15.950D = €184-,)
Final Goal: 10 August 2026 – 3rd tuition payment + full independence (15.950D = €184-,)
This program is here to help you become:
a strong woman
a skilled fashion designer
an independent businesswoman
a person who creates her own opportunities
Each month has a focus. You do not have to be perfect. You only need to keep moving and keep learning.
At She Aligns, we believe every woman has the power to rise—no matter her age, background, or financial situation. We believe independence can be learned, and that with the right guidance, women can build confidence, create opportunities, and shape their own future.
—Lianne de Laffressange
Your goal
Fatima, you told me you wanted to become the best fashion designer in The Gambia.
You told me you want to have your own shop, an online business, and happy customers who trust you and come back again. You told me you want to work with focus, respect your time and your clients’ time, and build a business that makes people proud of you.
You also said you want to become a woman who is calm, confident, patient, creative, and strong — a woman who believes in herself and knows how to handle difficult situations.
This program is here to help you grow into that person, step by step. Not only by learning skills for business, but also by building confidence, discipline, and the mindset of a strong and independent woman.
Every month in this journey will help you move closer to the life you described in your visualization.
Program Goal (SMART)
Specific
You will earn money by selling dresses in order to pay for your school fees.
Measurable
You need to gather 31,900 Dalasi (about €368).
This amount covers two tuition payments of 15,950 Dalasi each.
Achievable
You will earn this money step by step by:
selling dresses
communicating with clients
improving quality and delivery
managing her business consistently
Relevant
This goal allows you to:
continue your education
grow your fashion skills
build your own business
become financially independent
Time-bound
You will gather the full amount before 10 August 2026.
Month 1 — Taking responsibility
9 February – 8 March
Theme:
“I am responsible for my life.”
What you learn
To take action even when things feel difficult
To stop waiting for things to change
To look at problems calmly and find solutions
Inner growth
Stress is not danger. Stress is a signal that something needs attention.
Notice when you avoid things (for example: delay, excuses, disappearing).
Ask yourself:
“What can I do now?”
Mindset
Look for opportunities, not problems
Effort is more important than excuses
Be honest with yourself and with others
Business steps
Look clearly at what you need (money, tools, materials)
Start preparing to sell dresses to support your education
Decide where and how you will sell (for example: WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook)
Money agreement
You learn to find solutions yourself.
You may:
ask people for help
negotiate
borrow tools
find creative solutions
This is part of learning independence.
What shows you are ready for Month 2
✔ You take action without being reminded
✔ You do not blame others or circumstances
✔ When you need help, you ask instead of disappearing
Month 2 — Taking Action
9 March – 5 April
Theme:
“When I take action, opportunities appear.”
Inner growth
Learn to speak up and ask for help
Build confidence by doing things, not by waiting
Learn that mistakes are part of learning
Mindset
Abundance means movement and action
Growth comes from practice
Failure is information, not defeat
Business steps
Promote your dresses regularly
Talk to clients clearly
Start deciding on prices
Learn about deadlines and delivery
Money agreement
Support may be possible only after effort and results are visible.
What shows you are ready for Month 3
✔ You promote your work consistently
✔ You communicate clearly with clients
✔ You take responsibility for mistakes
Month 3 — Creating Income
6 April – 3 May
Theme:
“I can create what I need.”
Goal
To generate enough money to help pay for your next school term before 10 May.
(15.950D = €184-,)
Inner growth
Learn to stay calm under pressure
Notice fear and keep moving anyway
Take responsibility for results
Mindset
Money comes through value and effort
Think like a businesswoman
Look for solutions, not excuses
Business steps
Sell dresses in a repeatable way
Build trust with clients
Improve communication and pricing
Keep good relationships with suppliers
What shows you are ready for Month 4
✔ You actively work toward funding your education
✔ You continue working even when it feels stressful
✔ You take initiative when problems appear
Month 4 — Becoming a Businesswoman
11 May – 7 June
Theme:
“I am building a real business.”
Inner growth
See yourself as a businesswoman
Become more confident showing your work
Mindset
Think about the future
Build simple systems to make work easier
Business steps
Improve the quality of your dresses
Strengthen supplier relationships
Create a clear way to ship dresses
Give clients a good experience
What shows you are ready for Month 5
✔ You solve many problems yourself
✔ You think ahead
✔ You manage your work with more independence
Month 5 — Standing on Your Own
8 June – 5 July
Theme:
“I trust myself.”
Focus
Making decisions
Trusting yourself
Working independently
Business steps
Decide prices yourself
Talk with suppliers confidently
Handle client questions and challenges
Ship orders independently
What shows you are ready for Month 6
✔ You do not wait for permission
✔ You handle setbacks calmly
✔ You keep working consistently
Month 6 — Graduation
6 July – 2 August
Theme:
“I create my future.”
By the end of this program, you will have:
A social media platform where you sell dresses
A dress of good, reliable quality
A reliable supplier
A clear way to ship dresses
The ability to generate your own income
The confidence to continue without depending on others
Closing
We will look back at your growth, what you learned, and what you will build next.
This is not the end.
This is the beginning of your independent life and business.
Final Goal
Before 10 August 2026
You are able to:
Continue your education by paying the last fee (15.950D = €184-,)
Support yourself financially
Run your business independently
Competences of Fatima – Future Fashion Designer & Businesswoman
These are the skills and qualities you are learning during this program.
1. Responsibility and Discipline
Learning outcome:
I take responsibility for my work and my time.
I show up when I say I will.
I finish what I start.
What this looks like in practice:
I meet deadlines or communicate early if something changes.
I do not disappear when things feel difficult.
I plan my work and follow my plan.
2. Customer Communication and Service
Learning outcome:
When I work with clients, I listen carefully, understand what they need, and communicate clearly.
What this looks like in practice:
I ask questions to understand what the client wants.
I explain clearly what I will do and when it will be ready.
If something is delayed, I inform the client honestly.
I stay calm and respectful, even in difficult situations.
3. Handling Difficult Situations
Learning outcome:
When a problem happens, I stay calm, listen, and look for a solution.
What this looks like in practice:
I do not panic when a client complains.
I ask: “What happened?” and “How can we solve this?”
I focus on solutions instead of blaming.
4. Confidence and Self-Belief
Learning outcome:
I believe in my work and in my ability to grow.
What this looks like in practice:
I speak about my work with confidence.
I show my dresses and promote them.
I keep going even when I feel unsure.
5. Professional Behavior and Trustworthiness
Learning outcome:
People trust me because I am honest, respectful, and reliable.
What this looks like in practice:
I keep my promises.
I respect other people’s time and my own time.
I communicate clearly and honestly.
6. Time Management and Organization
Learning outcome:
I organize my day and my work so my business runs smoothly.
What this looks like in practice:
I check orders and messages regularly.
I plan my work for the day.
I balance shop work, online work, and personal life.
7. Business Thinking
Learning outcome:
I think like a businesswoman and make decisions that help my business grow.
What this looks like in practice:
I focus on quality and customer satisfaction.
I think about how to improve my products and service.
I look for ways to attract more customers.
8. Emotional Strength and Calmness
Learning outcome:
I stay calm under pressure and handle stress in a healthy way.
What this looks like in practice:
I breathe and think before reacting.
I do not give up when things are difficult.
I keep working step by step.
9. Gratitude and Positive Mindset
Learning outcome:
I stay grateful and positive while I work toward my goals.
What this looks like in practice:
I appreciate the people who help me.
I see challenges as lessons.
I remember why I started.
10. Initiative and Opportunity Creation
Learning outcome:
When I need something, I take action and look for solutions.
What this looks like in practice:
I ask people for help when needed.
I look for opportunities instead of waiting.
I try different ideas until something works.
Your core values
Fatima, your vision shows three strong core values already present:
Respect
Trust
Responsibility
These are exactly the values of strong entrepreneurs everywhere in the world. That’s a very good sign.