Name
Beatrice Ouma
Age
45
What Pangea Women’s Network Cooperative are you apart of?
Ngomongo Tailoring Self Help Group
Tell us about yourself
I am 45 years old and the second born in the family. I was raised by my parents together with fourteen siblings in Homabay County. I finished high school but did not go to college since my parents could not afford to pay for my college fees. I, therefore, moved to a different town to fend for myself and joined other women in selling food to workers from a factory. In 1999, I got married and I was blessed with four children. I worked as a casual laborer on and off in different companies while doing business small scale businesses on the side to supplement the income that I have.
What are you most proud of?
I am proud of myself and Pangea. At the time I met Pangea in 2015, I was not employed. I sold clothes moving from door to door to find customers. It was cumbersome and the returns were not good. Through a loan from The Pangea Network, I was able to purchase more stock and secure a premise where I set up my business. I no longer get tired from walking long hours to look for clients, they come to me. My profit has increased through my hard work and Pangea’s support. I am able to pay school fees for my children and offer them better meals.
What is the most important lesson you’ve learned with The Pangea Network?
The greatest lesson I learned from Pangea was on time management. After hawking clothes, I could go back home early to do other chores, I did not sell every day. Pangea made me appreciate the importance of utilizing my time well in order to grow my business and reduce time-related pressure. I open my business early six days a week. This has helped me retain and earn more customers since I have a reliable schedule and they can always count on me for their children’s clothing needs. I also benefited immensely from the nutrition classes. Since then I have been able to offer my family a better-balanced meal.
