"I’m am a strong, independent woman. Awamu gave me the foundation I needed"

Meet Hameria, now 20. Hameria joined our education programme when she was 7 years old. Here she shares the secrets of her success and how you helped her develop into an ambitious woman with a flair for business.

“If I hadn’t had the opportunity to join school at P3 as part of the Awamu education programme, I don’t know what would have happened to me. I reflect on the situation I was in then and I am thankful for Awamu creating that turning point.

“When I was around 12 years I received my first training in business from Awamu. I started a small garden and sold the vegetables. Then I took part in another training where we learnt how to make cakes and snacks. I saw an opportunity. I began making cakes to take into school and sell to my fellow students. This quickly turned into a little business that helped me to the buy things I needed – clothes, books and food for school – it made me feel independence which I liked.

“I was close to finishing secondary school when Covid lockdown came in. Our schools were totally closed for nearly two years. During lockdown Awamu helped me to continue my studies, and gave me extra support so when we finally went back I passed my final exams very well.

“After my exams I didn’t have the money to go to university. Instead, I decided now I must earn some good money so that in two years I can return to my studies.

“With the business planning skills I learnt from Awamu – I really researched my market. I wanted to do something that I enjoyed. When I was younger, I wanted so much to be doctor or a mid-wife. I wanted to do something that makes me interact with people and help them solve a problem they had. So one of the things that pushed me to start this business of Herbal Medicine was my passion to help people. And its grown, I now employ seven people to help with distribution and selling.

What drives you?

”I feel proud of myself for committing to making it happen, I’ve worked hard to get here. I can now stand as me! I like being independent. I have a lot of responsibilities. I have people that rely on me – I pay school fees for sister (13), my brother (10) and my two little cousins (4 & 6). I worry about their future, and that pushes me to work harder.

”Also, I have a lot of good people behind me – people I respect, who I want to be like. People who have helped me along the way – they are all working hard to make a living and pay the rent but they still take the time to help others including me. I hope I can repay the love I have been shown. My vision now is to grow my business so I can share my skills with other girls and help create opportunities for them to become independent women too.“

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