Empowering Youth Entrepreneurship; Norah’s Journey to Success
Like many of our Youth Livelihood Program participants, Norah discovered a way to succeed through her innovation. In 2022, she took her first step toward financial independence by joining Asante Africa Foundation’s Community Learning Group in Uganda, a local initiative focused on empowering young entrepreneurs. Norah gained the fundamentals of leadership, the significance of saving and budgeting, and the value of market research and feasibility studies. But what stood out the most was the practical training in bookmaking. This hands-on experience gave her the tools and techniques to produce quality materials, sparking an idea that would invite a path to success.
However, like many young, under-resourced, entrepreneurs, Norah faced significant financial constraints. With no capital to start her business, she turned to what she knew would achieve results best—hard work. Determined to raise the starting 300,000 UGX she needed, Norah began earning money by helping her neighbors with their gardens, earning and saving every shilling she could. However, that would only be the beginning of funding her starting costs. Realizing she needed more funds, she devised a plan to start a piggery to generate additional income. She purchased three piglets for 80,000 UGX each and nurtured them with care. Ten months later, her efforts paid off. Just before the festive season, she sold one of the pigs for 290,000 UGX. With this financial boost and the unwavering support of her mentor, Norah was ready to launch her bookmaking business.
With sheer determination and guidance from her mentor, Norah produced and sold over 150 copies of her books, generating a profit of 500,000 UGX. But her journey was far from over. With the expansion of her business, Norah encountered new challenges with insufficient capital and a lack of proper equipment. These difficulties were not new to Norah and so her optimism and determination never wavered. From her training in financial literacy and budgeting, she began to reinvest her profits strategically. Norah’s book-making business is now positioned to further grow and develop within her community. To the Uganda Women Entrepreneur Association, “In Uganda, 44% of the businesses are owned by women and it is estimated that women entrepreneurs supply only 1% of the market due to the various barriers.” Norah’s success not only aims to close that gap but serves as an inspiration for other women in her community.
The path to success for under-resourced youth in Uganda is not easy. Success requires not only the strength and determination to succeed but the support and assistance of community members. Through her entrepreneurial journey, she has not only achieved sustainable success but has also become a leader that inspires other young individuals in her community.