Skip to main content

A TASTE OF SUCCESS: THE JOURNEY OF BUNGI'S WOMEN TO ECONOMIC INDEPENDENCE

By

 



BY, KHELEF NASSOR, ZANZIBAR@@@@

IN the heart of Bungi, a small village nestled amidst the lush greenery of South Region of Unguja Island, Zanzibar, a quiet revolution is underway. A group of women, once bound by the chains of poverty and limited opportunities, have emerged as beacons of hope and inspiration. Their journey, a testament to the power of collective action and the transformative potential of entrepreneurship, has not only transformed their own lives but also ignited a spark of change within their community.

These women, like many others in Bungi, faced a daily struggle. The burden of raising families while grappling with limited income sources weighed heavily upon them. They were often confined to their homes, with limited opportunities to improve their economic development and escape poverty. However, a glimmer of hope appeared with the arrival of the ZanzAdapt project, an initiative funded by Global Affairs Canada and implemented by Community Forests Pemba, in collaboration with Community Forests International-CFI, Tamwa-Zanzibar, and Africa CSID.

The ZanzAdapt project, aimed at enhancing community resilience to climate change, offered a lifeline to these women. It provided them with invaluable training in entrepreneurship, equipping them with the knowledge needed to break free from the shackles of poverty. The training sessions, conducted by skilled facilitators, covered a wide range of topics, from developing sound business plans and understanding market dynamics to mastering the art of marketing and financial and business management.

Initially, the women were hesitant. Fear of failure, lack of confidence, and societal norms that often relegated women to domestic roles all threatened to derail their ambitions. However, the encouragement of their trainers and the unwavering support of Community Forests Pemba through the ZanzAdapt project gradually eroded their doubts. They began to envision a future where they could not only provide for their families but also contribute to the economic growth of their village.

Inspired by their newfound knowledge, the women decided to pool their limited resources and embark on a collective entrepreneurial venture. With an initial investment of a mere 28,000 Tanzanian shillings approximately $11 USD, a sum that would barely cover a week's groceries for many families – they embarked on their journey towards financial independence.



After much deliberation, they decided to focus on producing and selling two highly demanded products: chili and tea masala. These products, readily available in local markets, presented an opportunity to add value through improved quality and unique flavor combinations. They meticulously sourced high-quality ingredients, experimented with different spice blends, and meticulously crafted their products with utmost care.

The women understood the importance of marketing and customer satisfaction. They strategically positioned themselves at local markets, engaging with potential customers, and showcasing the unique qualities of their products. They emphasized the freshness of their ingredients, the meticulousness of their production process, and the competitive pricing. Customers, initially hesitant, were won over by the unique flavors and the competitive pricing. Soon, the women's products became a local favorite, attracting a loyal customer base.

The success of their venture was evident within months. Their initial investment had grown exponentially, with their savings reaching a remarkable 500,000 Tanzanian shillings – approximately $200 USD. More importantly, they were able to pay themselves a modest monthly salary of 20,000 Tanzanian shillings each approximately $7.85, a significant improvement in their financial situation. This newfound income provided a much-needed safety net for their families, allowing them to afford better healthcare, improve their children's education, and invest in their homes.

However, the women of Bungi were not content with their initial success. They envisioned a future where they could expand their business, create more employment opportunities within their community, and further improve their livelihoods. They dreamt of opening a new office that would offer rental services for items like mats, chairs, and cooking utensils, and catering. This venture would not only generate additional income for their business but also provide much-needed support services to their community.

Furthermore, they set an ambitious goal: to increase their monthly salary to a staggering 1,000,000 shillings per member. This ambitious target, while seemingly daunting, served as a powerful motivator, fueling their determination and driving them to constantly innovate and expand their business.

To achieve this ambitious goal, the women embarked on a series of strategic initiatives. They diversified their product line, introducing new and innovative spice blends and exploring the potential of producing other value-added products such as jam, achari, and other demanded products. They also actively sought new markets, venturing beyond their immediate community and exploring opportunities to sell their products to local hotels, restaurants, and supermarkets.

Recognizing the importance of branding and marketing, the women invested in creating attractive packaging for their products, using locally sourced materials whenever possible. They also explored the potential of online marketing, utilizing social media platforms to reach a wider audience and connect with potential customers.

This success story of the women of Bungi has inspired other women to embrace their entrepreneurial potential. It has demonstrated that with the right support, training, and unwavering belief in oneself, even the most marginalized individuals can break free from the shackles of poverty and create a brighter future for themselves and their families.



"I am incredibly proud of these women," says Zulpher Bashir, Social Enterprise and Gender Equality Officer from Community Forests Pemba. "They have not only achieved remarkable economic success but also become role models for other women in their community. Their resilience, determination, and entrepreneurial spirit are truly inspiring. They have shown us that when women are empowered, they can achieve extraordinary things."

The women of Bungi have not only transformed their own lives but also become catalysts for change within their community. Their journey serves as a powerful reminder that women, when empowered, can achieve extraordinary things. Their story is a beacon of hope, urging women everywhere to embrace their entrepreneurial spirit, strive for economic independence, and contribute to the betterment of their communities.

                                    the end

Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

BLOG'S VISITORS

DAKTARI MWENGINE CHAKE CHAKE KULA SIKUKUU POLISI, NI KWA TUHUMA ZA KUMBAKA MGONJWA WAKE

By
NA WAANDISHI WETU, PEMBA::: DAKTARI anaetoa huduma kwa wagonjwa kituo cha afya cha serikali cha  Gombani wilaya ya Chake Chake Pemba, Is-haka Rashid Hadid, anaendelea kushikiliwa na Jeshi la Polisi Mkoa wa kaskazini Pemba, akituhumiwa kumtorosha na kisha kumbaka mtoto wa mwenye umri wa miaka 16, mkaazi wa Gombani. Daktari huyo miaka 35 ni mkaazi wa Kangagani Wilaya ya Wete mkoani humo, ambapo anadaiwa alimchukua mtoto huyo kutoka kwa rafiki yake, na kumpeleka kwenye nyumba anayoishi eneo la Kangagani. Mtoto aliefanyiwa kitendo hicho alisema kuwa, April 21 mwaka huu alikwenda kituo cha afya Gombani, kwa ajili ya matibabu na baada ya kupatiwa huduma na daktari huyo, alimuomba nambari yake ya simu. Alisema ilipofika usiku, walikuwa wanawasiliana kupitia ujumbe mfupi (sms) kwa lengo la kwenda kuchukua dawa nyingine ambazo kwa mchana huo alizikosa hospitalini hapo. "Nilikwenda hospitali kutibiwa, baada ya kufanya mapele katika sehemu zangu za siri, lakini akaniambia mpaka aje da...
2 comments
Read more

'MKAPA' NA WENZAKE PEMBA WALAZWA RUMANDE

By
  NA HAJI NASSOR, PEMBA@@@@ MAHKAMA kuu Zanzibar kisiwani Pemba, chini ya Jaji Ibrahim Mzee Ibrahim, imewapeleka rumande watumuhimwa wanne wanaokabiliwa na tuhuma za kuua kwa makusudi, akiwemo Ali Mussa Omar ‘ Mkapa’ mkaazi wa Wawi wilaya ya Chake chake Pemba. Watuhumiwa wengine walioanza maisha mapya ya rumande ni mtuhumiwa Yassir Mohamed Juma miaka 23, Anuwari Mussa Omar miaka 30 pamoja na mtuhumiwa Yassir Mussa Omar ‘ Makababu ’ miaka 29, wote wakaazi wa shehia ya Wawi, wilaya ya Chake chake Pemba. Awali watuhumiwa hao waliwasili mahakamani hapo, kwa mara ya kwanza, kwa ajili ya kusomewa tuhma zinazowakabili za kumuua kwa maksudi Said Seif Kombo. Ilidaiwa mahakamani hapo na Mwendesha Mashtaka kutoka Ofisi ya Mkurugenzi wa Mashataka Seif Mohamed Khamis akiambatana na mwenzake Mussa Khamis Ali kuwa, watuhumiwa hao kwa pamoja wanadaia kufanya mauwaji hayo kwa maksudi. Ilidai kuwa, watuhumiwa wote kwa pamoja, walitenda kosa hilo Oktoba 16, mwaka huu, baina ya saa 7:00 m...
Post a Comment
Read more

HII KALI MBUNGE ASIYA AMKOGESHA MWANANCHI HADHARANI KISA HICHI HAPA......

By
  NA HAJI NASSOR, PEMBA MBUNGE wa viti maalum nafasi za wanawake mkoa wa kaskazini Pemba Asiya Sharif Omar, amewataka wananchi wa kijiji cha taifu, shehia ya Kinyasini jimbo la Gando wilaya ya Wete Pemba, kuyalinda miundombinu ya maji safi na salama, ili yawe endelevu kwao. Kauli hiyo ameitoa wakati alipokuwa akizungumza na mwandishi wa habari hizi, mara baada ya kuwasili kijijini humo, na kumkogesha mwananchi mmoja kama ishara ya uzinduzi wa mradi wa maji safi na salama, ulioasisiwa na mbunge wa Jimbo la Gando. Alisema, hawana mbadala kwa sasa bali ni kuilinda miundombinu ya huduma hiyo, hasa baada ya mbunge wa wao Salim Mussa Omar, kuwarejeshea huduma hiyo. Alieleza kuwa, inafahamika kuwa kwa miaka 14 waliikosa huduma hiyo hasa kwa vile viongozi waliokuwepo hawakujali kuwatatulia tatizo hilo, hadi juzi ilipofanywa na mbunge wao. “Baada ya huduma hii sasa kurejeshwa na mbunge wa jimbo la Gando, kazi iliyobakia kwenu wananchi ni kila mmoja kuwa mlinzi wa miundombinu hii,’...
Post a Comment
Read more

TUHMA ZA DAKTARI PEMBA KUCHIWA HURU: POLISI KASKAZINI KUTOA TAARIFA RASMI LEO

By
  NA HAJI NASSOR, PEMBA KAMANDA wa Polisi mkoa wa kaskazini Pemba, Juma Saad Khamis, amesema leo Mei 9, mwaka huu atatoa taarifa rasmi, juu ya kuendelea kumshikilia au kumpa dhamana ya Polisi, daktari wa Kituo cha Afya Gombani Is-haka Rashid Hadid, anayetuhumiwa kwa ubakaji. Alisema, kwa vile alikuwa katika mapumziko mafupi, haelewi jambo lolote linaloendelea kwa mtuhumiwa huyo, juu ya kuendelea kushikiliwa kwake kituoni hapo. Alieleza kuwa, leo Mei 6 (jana), hajapata taarifa za ndani za mtuhumiwa, huyo na kuwataka wananchi na wanaharakati, wasubirie hadi Jumatatu ijayo. Akizungumza na waandishi wa habari kwa nyakati tofauti Kamanda huyo, alisema hana taarifa zozote za kupewa dhamana mtuhumiwa ndani ya kituo chake cha Polisi au kuendelea kuwepo. ‘’Ilikuwa mimi sipo kazini kwa muda, kuanzia anakamatwa hadi anafikishwa Polisi, kwa sasa siwezi kueleza jambo lolote kwa mtuhumiwa huyo, hadi Jumatatu,’’alieleza. Aidha Kamanda huyo alieleza kuwa, kwa sasa hawezi kutoa uf...
Post a Comment
Read more

…….SUZA WATOA USHAURI WA ADHABU YA KUNYONGWA

By
  NA HAJI NASSOR, PEMBA@@@@ WANAFUNZI wanaosomea uwalimu Chuo cha taifa cha Zanzibar ‘SUZA’ kampasi ya Benjamin Wiliam Mkapa Wete Pemba, wamependekeza adhabu ya kunyongwa hadi kufa, kwa mtu atakaetiwa hatiani, kwa kosa la dawa za kulevya. Walisema, haiingii akili kuona, mahkama imeshamtia hatiani mtu kwa kukutwa na dawa za kulevya, ambazo huathiri nguvu kazi ya taifa na kisha, kupewa hukumu ya kifungo pekee. Wakizungumza leo Juni 26, 2024 kwenye kongamano la vyuo vikuu, juu ya masuala ya msaada wa kisheria, kuelekea wiki ya msaada wa kisheria Zanzibar, lililofanyika Chuoni hapo, walisema wakati umefika sasa kutolewa kwa hukumu hiyo. Walipendekeza kuwa, ni vyema kwa mtu anayetiwa hatiani asibakie chuo cha Mafunzo pekee kuitia tena hasara serikali kwa chakula na wakati mwingine matibabu, wakati tayari ameshasababisha madhara, kwa vijana. Mshiriki Juma Nafasi Juma, alifafanua kuwa kama mtu ameamua kuliumiza taifa kwa kuingiza, kusafirisha, kusambaaza dawa za kulevya, hivyo n...
Post a Comment
Read more