Marquerita

Marquerita

My life has changed a lot after the training that I had with Gender Links. I have know about GL course of Entrepreneurship from my neighbor who had enroll herself for the course. She encouraged me to contact GL for details and attend the course and I don’t regret it at all.

The course has been an eye opener for me. I have learnt that we need to analyse things well instead of accepting everything as it is. Previously, I would not have considered it a violent act when my husband would scream or swear at me. But now I know that this is also a type of violence and that I should stand for my rights. The course has helped to understand different types of violence as previously I assumed that violence was only when we are beaten. I also realized the extent to which I have been a victim of violence and I realized how unaware I was. I also learnt to say no when needed and affirm my rights.

The course did not only helped me open my eyes and be more conscious, but helped me a real lot in managing my business. I have been making pickles and chili paste which I sell to people in my locality. I followed a course on how to make pickles some years back but the aim was not to set up a business. In fact, I only wanted to follow the course so that I have a better idea of how to make the products and do it at home for personal use. However, later I realised that this can be an interesting business that can help me to be financially independent. I then started to tell people about my products and I started to sell it with the neighbors. My clients are always very happy with my products but the problem was that I did not know how to put a price tag for it. I was not well versed in financial matters but I have learnt a lot about it from the course. I remember once my husband negotiated with a shopkeeper who was ready to give me a stall to put my pickles and chilli paste for sale. However, the way my husband negotiated with the shopkeeper was very fishy to me and upon inquiring, I came to know that my husband decided for the price to put for the products. His idea was to take my products, sell them and take all the money. Luckily, I investigated and came to know about it on time. I would have undergone a great loss if this had happened. I must highlight that my husband is not very supportive to me in my business; he only want to take all my earnings. Nonetheless, I know how to manage it now.

I realised through the course that I should not let others decide for me and that I should have my word as well. From the money gained out of my small business, I but things for me that I always wanted. This business though small has allowed me to be independent. I don’t need to ask money from my husband or relatives. People know that I sell these products and I do take orders for it as well. In fact, the product is demandable on the market. People come at my house to have the pickles and chilli paste. Each month, I sell a minimum of 20 pots of pickles or chilli paste.

My message to emerging women entrepreneur would be that even if we start small in a business, the satisfaction that we get is huge. We need to be on constant move and search for things to do instead of sitting at home idle or be victims of violence. We need to denounce and we need to stand on our feet to be empowered. It does not come us instead we need to go towards it.