In a heartening display of entrepreneurship and collective spirit, a group of four women in Uganda have transformed their lives and livelihoods through a snack-making and baking business. This remarkable journey began with a training course at Bridge Africa Research Organisation (BARO), where they acquired the skills and confidence to launch their venture.
Recently, we visited these women to assess their progress and identify areas where they might need further support. What we found was truly inspiring. Not only had they established a thriving business, but they had also expanded their operations by recruiting two new members. This bold move was driven by their desire to meet the growing demand for their products and to increase their earnings.
What struck us as particularly innovative was their approach to expansion. Rather than relying on external funding, they decided to bring in new members by asking each of them to contribute a packet of baking flour (equivalent to UGX 7,000 on todays market). This creative solution not only helped them to overcome financial constraints but also fostered a sense of ownership and collective responsibility among the group members.
Today, the four women work together to produce their popular snack, known as “donoughts,” three times a week. They have developed a rotational system, where two members focus on production while the other two engage in marketing and sales. This efficient approach has enabled them to increase their output and expand their customer base.
