The Enterprising “Mama Sarah”
“I was a women’s group representative helping women save money through table banking. Initially, I would spend all my money buying my family clothes and food. But when UNHCR partnered with AAHI for this women’s project and noticed I was very active in mobilizing the women. I was hired as a community mobilizer. We were taken through some capacity-building trainings as mentors learning group dynamics, savings and how to start a business. I would share these lessons with my husband and we learned how to save some of our income, through which we started a beauty business. My husband runs a barbershop, and I bought a tailoring machine, I love fashion and I make beautiful dresses for the ladies working in the agencies in Kalobeyei as well as the women and girls in the community. Through their business coaching, I know how to utilize my soft skills, for instance, I use my networks as a women’s leader I am able to attract new customers and even get referrals.
My husband’s barbershop suffered after the pandemic and he had to close down, I’m happy that we had diversified our businesses maximizing our strengths. I get to work with women helping them report SGBV cases, and encouraging them to take up work, and help with household expenses. My children are my helpers, I give them small tasks at our business after school and they are learning about business and saving at an early age. I would want them and others to learn is that you don’t have to just be one thing you can wear as many hats as you can, use your talents to increase your income.”