KIC, in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation, has initiated a comprehensive series of skills training programs in entrepreneurship for women groups across selected farming communities in the Northern Regions. With plans to expand these training sessions to other parts of the country, KIC aims to empower women and youth-focused groups by equipping them with vital entrepreneurial skills.
The training sessions target a diverse range of women groups, including farmer associations, youth, and adolescent groups. These sessions are designed to provide practical, hands-on training that can directly enhance the participants’ ability to generate income and support their families as entrepreneurs within the agricultural value chain.
In the northern sector, the focus of the training was on the processing of groundnuts into coated groundnut roast chips. This specific skill was chosen due to its high market demand and potential for profitability. The women were taught coating methods, and packaging.
One of the standout participants of this training was Dorcas Mdegu, a 32-year-old woman living with a disability who uses support for mobility. Despite her challenges, Dorcas demonstrated remarkable resilience and determination throughout the training. She successfully acquired new skills that have enabled her to start producing and selling groundnut roast chips.
Dorcas’s story is a testament to the transformative power of these training sessions. With her newfound skills, she has not only been able to generate income to support her family but has also created employment opportunities for other women in her community. Her groundnut chips enterprise has become a source of inspiration and economic empowerment for many.
KIC’s commitment to enabling opportunities for women and youth-focused groups is unwavering. By providing these entrepreneurial skills training programs, KIC aims to build the capacity of women to manage and grow their own businesses, thereby fostering economic independence and community development.
These initiatives are part of a broader strategy to enhance the entrepreneurial capabilities of women and youth, ensuring they have the tools and knowledge needed to succeed in their ventures. The partnership with the Mastercard Foundation underscores the shared vision of both organizations to drive inclusive growth and development for young people, and particularly for women.
Through these targeted training programs, KIC and the Mastercard Foundation are making significant strides in empowering women groups in farming communities. The skills acquired through these trainings are not only improving individual livelihoods but also contributing to the overall economic development of the regions involved. As these programs expand, the ripple effect of empowerment and entrepreneurship is expected to reach even more communities, fostering a culture of self-reliance and economic resilience.
