Micro-Enterprises for African Women
By Lucy Maier
Challenges Women have in Africa
The challenges in some African continents are because of how much they get paid, health reasons, and war. Women have much more. They have to take care of the family and make food which, doesn't earn any money. This makes them not be able to read or write because they are worried about there family and want to take care of them. In Africa, nearly half of African Women over 15 can not read.
How Micro-Enterprises have impacted Women in Africa
Women in Africa have had a much better life with micro-enterprises. They have made their lives easier for themselves and their kids lives easier. Because they live in an informal economy, women can exchange goods and services. Most women try to sell food in a street market, or trade stuff for what they need. One example of that is, people trade firewood for childcare. One thing a lot of women like about micro-enterprises is that they get a small loan to help them start their businesses. Later on usually, they pay back what they got from the loan if they are doing well and don't need it anymore.
Soap and Drinks Fund
Margaret Saajjabi was the one who started micro-enterprises in Uganda. She was born into a very large family. When she was in high school her father told her there was not enough money for her to continue her education. So, she left school and worked for the police and then a telephone operator. Soon, Margaret realize that she wanted he own business, which then she started by selling laundry soap and soft bottled drinks. Margaret had no money to by goods, so she talked to sellers into letting them to sell her products. By doing that, she got a small percent of money from the company. When she was getting all the money, she was saving it, and got enough money to buy land in Kalerwe Market. With this land that she bought, she has done many things. Like renting out market places and setting up water-selling businesses. Soon after she did all of this she noticed that women faced more challenges then men in business, especially because they would start out the business with no money. To help these women, Margaret and some other women created a savings club called the Soaps and Drinks Fund to help women.