Elien Elot is the leader of a group working with income generating activities in the city of Paoua in the North-West of the Central African Republic. He is 38 years old and has 7 children.

Before the conflict Elien worked as a tailor in Paoua. When the conflict broke out, he and his family were attacked by the rebels, and his tailor-shop and his house were destroyed. The family was displaced for several years. When peace returned to the area, Elien and his family had to rebuild their lives from scratch. He created an association together with a group of tailors, in order to earn an income, and to be able to provide for his family. However, the association did not have resources or materials, since members had been displaced during the conflict.

With the arrival of Danish Refugee Council in the area of Ouham-Pendé, the association was included in the scheme of income generating activities. Elien and the other tailors started to receive support from Danish Refugee Council in terms of materials such as; sewing machines and building materials for the construction of the tailor-shop. The group also received training within business-methods, book-keeping and profit-maximizing in order to improve their businesses, and to earn a higher income.

The support from DRC has enabled Elien to restart his business, to employ other tailors in the shop, and to earn a regular income. The money from his shop has enabled him to provide food for his family, improve the health of his children, and to send them to school.

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