April Kenyan Woman of the Month

Seline Mugesi Onyango

Age 50

What Pangea Women’s Network Cooperative are you apart of?

Upendo Women’s Group

Tell us about yourself

I am 50 years old, a mother of three children; one is married, the second is studying in college while the third is in primary school. I run a tailoring business, which I started operating way back in 1992, as well as a retail shop, which I set up within the same premises last year (2020). I operate my businesses in the Ndere area of Siaya County.

What are you most proud of?

To begin with, I am happy with my life and I am generally happy. Secondly, my tailoring business has enabled me to raise enough money to see my children through school and provide for their daily needs. Thirdly, I am proud of Pangea because of the training and loans they gave us as a group. These loans enabled me to start running my retail shop.

What is the most important lesson you’ve learned with The Pangea Network?

The best lessons I learnt with Pangea was how to balance between my family and my business as well as how to maintain a hygienic environment. Record keeping was also a topic that has really been helping me manage my business money. It has even enabled me to save money to expand my business.

How has the Covid-19 Pandemic affected your business?

When the Covid-19 was declared to have reached Kenya, the businesses were greatly affected. The cost of obtaining business items as well as transporting them became high hence reducing the business profit. My tailoring business suffered the most as there were no clothes orders coming in for a long time. Currently, even if the cost of items are still high, I am glad that the business environment has improved.