September Kenyan Woman of the Month

Name

Rose Adhiambo Auma

Age

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

Odwadu Women Group

Tell us about yourself

I am a 46-year-old businesswoman and mother of three children. I live in Silanga area of Siaya County. I run a hardware store in the area that deals with selling building material and accessories.

What are you most proud of?

I am proud of the fact that my business has grown over the past two years since I started it. This has majorly been due to a supportive community and a ready market to consume the products that I sell. Also venturing into this type of business that is majorly male-dominated gives me drive to do it better to prove to myself and others that women can also do it equally well. I keep adding onto my stock based on customers’ demands as tastes and preferences in building keep changing. As a result, I have seen my profits increase with time and I have been able to pay for my children’s school fees and needs without much struggle over the past few years.

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

The most important lesson I learned was the one on Women and Leadership as well as Basic Business Skills where I learned how to identify business opportunities and to grow the business through marketing. I explored the option of opening a hardware store when I heard people say that many constructions are coming up and people had to go to far off markets to get the materials they need in construction. I decided to give it a shot and bring in the materials little by little. The response was good and it gave me the zeal to offer even more products. All the money I obtained from the Pangea loan went towards boosting the stock so I have more variety to give the customers satisfaction. I am glad I struck while the iron was still hot and took the opportunity

How has the COVID-19 pandemic affected your business?

People’s needs have shifted. People have resorted to their immediate needs, such as food, and view things such as construction as something that can wait and be picked up at a later date when cash flows freely. My hardware business was hit to a great extent such that I had to put it on hold and concentrate on something else that gave me cash quickly. I took advantage of the long rains period to do farming so that I could sell the produce later when prices are high. I planted maize, beans, sweet potatoes, and groundnuts. These being food items have ready market and so an easy way to get cash. However, maize is in huge supply hence doesn’t bring much profit currently but will do so in the near future. My children who are mostly at home due to schools’ closure have helped me a lot this time around and I am glad they are learning some life skills that keep them out of trouble.