February 7, 2023 – Over the last few years, WPDI has increasingly focused our action around the globe on improving the lives and prospects of women from underprivileged backgrounds in communities severely affected by violence and instability. This strategic focus on female empowerment involves providing vulnerable women with the tools and skills required to build themselves a brighter, independent future. WPDI, therefore, runs special ‘Business and Entrepreneurship’ programs, the “Business Bootcamp”, with the support of our Youth Peacemaker Network, which prepares participants to launch their own businesses, cooperatives or group projects.
From January to September 2022, WPDI ran such a program at the Kiryandongo Refugee Settlement in Uganda, which was crowned by the creation of 19 female-managed cooperative businesses. The program involved 285 women who had enrolled for our 9-month course following selection by a group of local leaders and stakeholders. This was the 4th cohort in 4 years, dating back to 2017-2018 – with a total of 76 cooperative businesses created, and hundreds of lives transformed. As with their predecessors, the businesses established in 2022 will also increase the offer of new and relevant services in their communities.
The process leading to creating these businesses was conducted with the support of WPDI Youth Peacemakers, trained by WPDI to support the transformation of their communities, including by training other beneficiaries on our behalf. The training program was accompanied by regular assessments on knowledge retention. These assessments were in the form of written tests, questions and answers. The topics covered included poverty and personal awareness, business idea generation, identification and selection, business plan development, record keeping, marketing and market research, forms of business and its environment, financial management, risk identification and mitigation, business ethics and social responsibilities, business conflict management, and group dynamics. Furthermore, Functional Adult Literacy (FAL) sessions were held for 76 women who were unable to read and write. “I wish I had got these skills before, I would be much better by now since I can read and write now. In my business I keep records of my sales well because I attended the FAL class. Before it was complicated because I could not read the letters and even could not write numbers. Thank you WPDI,” said trainee Muhammed Nur.
The program was completed in September and participants’ 19 15-women strong small business projects were launched with WPDI funding in October. “I am so delighted to share my testimony around the world regarding our business that has been supported by WPDI this year. Generating income is no longer a problem now I operate a small business and at the end of the day I have some sales from the business. Beside the group project I started this restaurant after attending the business and entrepreneurship program offered to us by WPDI as a group,” said trainee Muyama Agatha Nadege (pictured below).
WPDI teams will continue to monitor and guide the local business through their development. We firmly believe that these programs have significant potential to help build peace, stability and independence in underprivileged communities and are proud that women are able to lead the way.
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