19 determined women from Kibera in Katwekera have come together to forge a partnership that will solve their financial worries.
Most of them are optimists, some are housewives but all are entrepreneurs who believe that money is only a determination away. These women’s collective has identified manufacturing of liquid soap as the project that will put money in their pockets.
Speaking authoritatively and with a hopeful voice, Naima Salim, the group’s chairperson, described the idea behind the initiative.
“We want to empower ourselves. We won’t just sit and wait for the government’s never-coming financial assistance,” she said.
Although they are yet to receive funding from the government’s various women funds, they have been trained by one of these initiatives.
“We have been trained by officers from Women Enterprise Fund and we feel sufficiently equipped to confront our economic challenges,” said Salim.
The Women Enterprise Fund is a government initiative under Vision 2030’s social goals that seeks to economically empower women. Through it, the government advances soft loans to women’s groups in order to help them start businesses and realize their full potential. However, with the enthusiasm and excitement about Uwezo Fund dying and the government falling into the ditch of indifference, the 19 Kibera women have decided to raise their own capital.
Most of the members of the group already have skills in making liquid soap and have pledged to dedicate their services to the organization.
Halima Salim, who got her training several months back, says the idea would not have come at a better time.
“Working together as a group is more benefiting than investing as an individual because the group will have a recognisable brand and a sizeable market,” said Halima.