Florence: Feeding the Hungry

“I learned how to make goals to achieve my dream. I learned if you have a passion and a dream, you can achieve.” –Florence, owner of Food Supply Enterprise  

“Before I came to Duhu, I was lonely. I had no job. I had nothing.” But two things Florence had – passion and compassion. Growing up she saw the needs of children who go to school but yet were not fed, and she wanted to do something about it.

Being a part of Belay’s first Duhu, Florence was inspired by the women entrepreneurs she heard. Her idea of starting a business to supply food for schools became reachable. She discovered that it wasn’t money but knowledge that she needed to launch.

“Belay opened my eyes, and I started a business with eighty three dollars.” Using this small capital, she used her networks and marketing skills to search for a food supply market. Her entrepreneurship training gave her credibility, and she was able to supply onions to her first school. Building a reputation of professionalism which she learned through Duhu yielded more markets and her business expanded. In 2016 Florence obtained a needed loan from Belay, allowing her business to grow.

Florence’s business is now the main supplier of food for six schools, including a large university. She came to Duhu jobless, but now she is developing jobs in her community. She came with nothing, but now she works with dignity, providing for her family and giving to the poor.