The Business I started with $5 …
My name is Hadera Ahmed and I came to Addis Ababa with
my uncle when I was just four years old. Living with my uncle, I was never given
the chance to go to school. Instead, I was busy helping his family with
household chores. When I got older, I left
my uncle’s home and started working as a maid in a different household for $1 (10
birr) per month. I stayed at the same house for three years and when I got
tired of being a maid, I started my own business of selling second hand clothes
with a capital of $5 (50 birr). A friend
introduced me to my present husband while I was on this job and we got married
and stated running our life with the money he earned and the money I got from
the business.
Another friend advised me to expand my business; and I
told her that I would only if I had the capital for it and that it would really
help me if we form an “ekub” (a traditional rotation saving & credit scheme). This was when she advised me to join Women in
Self Employment (WISE) which didn’t take me much time to decide on. I went to the office and talked to a staff. After knowing the organization’s mission, I got
registered as a member in 2007 and started saving.
Taking the basic business skills training offered at
the organization, I learned a lot on how to manage time and money properly, how
to save, plan business and implement the plan. The training opened up new ways
for me leading to my success.
I took the first round loan of $47 (700 birr) and started
to sell different vegetables. I paid
back the loan in six months time and continued taking different levels of
loans, increasing my savings and attaining more income.
Recently, I
took a loan of Birr $1,706 (30,700 .00 birr) and pay back $38 (680 birr) to my cooperative
each week. My saving has now reached $722 (13,000 birr). I was also able to purchase household furniture
and equipments after I joined WISE and continue to support my family with the
money I get from the business.
I have seen a
big change in my life. My husband and I continue to work hand-in-hand as I continue
to do well in the business. Currently, I sell soft drinks, spring water, fruits
etc in my shop.
Women in Self Employment (WISE) is one of the four partner institutes of the African Centers of Excellence (ACE) for Women's Leadership program run by the Institute of International Education (IIE) , Ethiopia Office.
For more on IIE , ACE or WISE please follow the links below.
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