Meet Naigaga: How Your Support Turned a $5.40 Grocery Investment into a Mother's Livelihood

My name is Naigaga Kawa. I am 38 years old, a mother of five children, and a wife to a man who, despite his best efforts, has never had a stable income.

Life in Namutumba, a rural district in eastern Uganda, has always been a constant struggle. But I have never been one to sit and wait for things to change on their own. I knew that if I wanted a better future for my children, I had to take action.

Breaking the cycle of worry

For years, I depended entirely on the little my husband could provide, but it was never enough to sustain our household. Feeding the children, paying school fees, and handling basic daily expenses became harder with each passing day.

I often went to bed with a heavy heart, worrying about how we would get through the next day. The constant anxiety was exhausting. But everything changed when I got an opportunity to attend a comprehensive community development program organized by Global Village Connect in our area.

Taking a risk on a small beginning

The community development training truly opened my eyes. For the first time, I learned how to save systematically, manage household and business money, and run a profitable micro enterprise. I had always wanted to start something of my own, but I completely lacked the confidence and the basic business knowledge to take the first step.

After the training, armed with new knowledge, I decided to take a calculated risk. Using 20,000 Ugandan shillings from my small savings (about $5.40), I bought a modest inventory of fresh vegetables and cooking groceries to sell in my neighborhood.

At first, the business was incredibly slow. Some days, I barely made any profit at all. I started to worry if I had made a wrong choice and risked my family’s precious savings, but I constantly reminded myself of what our training mentors had taught us, persistence is key to business survival.

I committed to treating my customers with maximum care, keeping my vegetables clean and fresh, and adjusting my prices dynamically to attract more local buyers. Slowly, my persistence began to pay off. More neighbors started coming to my stand, and my daily profit grew to 3,000 shillings, or $1 a day.

The sweet taste of freedom

While $1 a day may not seem like much to some, to me, it was a profound step toward economic freedom.

With this reliable daily income, I can buy food for my children without constant worry. I can save a small portion of my profits for emergencies, and I no longer have to rely entirely on my husband. The joy of knowing that my own hard work is putting food on the table gives me immense strength and dignity.

Dreaming of a brighter future

Looking ahead, I dream of expanding my business. I want to grow my capital, increase my stock of essential groceries, and one day, open a permanent small shop in the main market.

My journey has taught me that knowledge is power and that even with the smallest beginning, success is possible.

“Now, I am not just a mother or a wife, but I am a businesswoman. I am building a better future for my children, one sale at a time. The joy of knowing that my hard work is putting food on the table gives me strength.”