Women’s group aim to reclaim foreign-owned businesses

Business

By ZACHERY PER
MORE than 2,500 like-minded women in Eastern Highlands have taken on the challenge of going into businesses and services currently provided mostly by foreigners.
This aim was revealed during the launch of Sista Helpim Sista Association’s business arm, the Eastern Sisters Development Corporation, and opening of first business, Mumu Kai restaurant.
“We are committed to take back businesses in Eastern Highlands currently run by people from other provinces and in the hands of Asians. If men cannot do it, we, like-minded women are geared up to take up that fight to take our economy back,” a senior member of the association Kim Papaso said.
Eastern Highlands governor Peter Numu and wife, Tess were invited to the opening.
Papaso said the association had targeted nine businesses, the first was Mumu Kai Restaurant; following that would be hardware (Didimeri) and fresh produce supply businesses.
“Our membership is comprised of women from subsistence farming households in the eight districts. That is where we will source our fresh food supplies,” she said.
“Our Didimeri hardware supplies will provide members with agricultural supplies.”
Papaso said the association’s goal was to facilitate economic independence for women in rural areas who could not access financial services provided by the banks for those who wanted to be involved in small and medium enterprise (SME) activities.
“The Sista Helpim Sista Association wants to find solutions to solve financial problems faced by families and we encourage every member to work hard and save money.
“We adopted a culture of letting our money work for us and not us working for money,” she said.
Association president Rita Karre said it was time more women took the initiative and build wealth for themselves rather than working for others.
“Today we are creating wealth for ourselves instead of creating wealth for other people and organisations,” she said.
Karre said the Eastern Sisters Development Corporation was established five years after initial establishment of Sista Helpim Sista Association.
“It gives us more encouragement and motivation to see our first fast food outlet ‘Mumu Kai’ open in the Kama area. I thank Joshua Soso and his family for giving us property to open the outlet,” she said.
Karre said the association had made progress and the women need to continue to be united, proactive and believe in themselves.
She thanked Numu for the K50,000 funding to assist in setting up the corporation.
Numu said his provincial five-year development plan (2017 to 2022) prioritised economic empowerment, infrastructure, trade and investment and agriculture.

3 comments

  • That’s the way to go mamas, Why wait and complain
    We have the land, now the govt must step in to help them get off to a big start

  • This is the way to take back all our trade store and kai bar businesses in the cities and towns across the country those currently controlled by Asians and other foreigners. Government at all levels need to step in and give more supports to the mums to achieve their aims.

Comments are closed.