Turning Table Mats into a Business

Mary (age 15, Uganda), a form one student at Buyuka Secondary School, was inspired by the Leadership and Entrepreneurship Incubator to start a table mat making business. Mary learned how to craft the mats from a friend, and uses the activity to fill the time created by school closures during the pandemic.

She started with a capital of 4,500 Ugandan shillings(UGX) to buy needles, thread, and cloth. Afterwards, she sold them for 6,000 UGX, making a profit of 1,500 UGX. She hopes to get a sewing machine so she can make more table mats and grow her business. Her work has inspired many other girls to start their own income-generating projects.