Money Transfer company - Western Union has launched a video series called “Stories of Better” in which ordinary African men and women tell of how remittances have impacted their lives.
The short films demonstrate how remittances have improved day-to-day living for African communities in education, health care and small businesses.
“The World Bank estimates that the African diaspora residing in countries around the world are over 30 million people.
Entire households and extended families often depend on remittances from loved ones abroad to meet their daily needs,” says Aida Diarra, Regional Vice President Africa.
“Remittances help to fund education, provide for improved healthcare, help set up small businesses, thus enabling sustained growth and development of communities around Africa.”
Western Union
In one segment, a Nigerian wife and mother of five shares her story, “My husband produces T-shirts and polos in the United States. He sends me money via Western Union. I use that money for my children, to pay their school fees and my rent and to meet other everyday needs.”
In another, Joseph Blabo who lives in Makoko in Lagos used remittances to create and develop a micro business. He says “I run a nursery and primary school. This vision was between me and my uncle. We thought about how we raise funds, we contacted an aunt of mine and within a twinkle of an eye she backed the idea and sent money to us”.
Western Union Stories of Better - Alex
In yet another testimonial, a Kenyan woman testifies how remittances saved her son’s life. She mentions “I have a son. He was involved in an accident in 2011. The car lost control, then it rolled three times. When he was in hospital the bill was very high and I couldn’t raise money to pay the bill. I called my sister in America to send the money. They used Western Union and the money came very fast. If it was not Western Union, my son couldn’t get help.”
Western Union Stories of Better - Lucia
Through these videos, Western Union enables the key stakeholders in Africa’s remittance chain – senders, receivers, agents and the Western Union corporate team – to put a face on these men and women, these everyday African heroes, who leave their home to find work, who cross continents to make better lives and build a brighter future for their loved ones.
Western Union is encouraging all Africans to share the positive impact that moving
money has had on their lives. Individuals can log on to:
http://www.WUAfrica.com/Storiesofbetter.html to contribute with their personal account through photos, testimonials and videos.