From Cooked Beans to a Thriving Tea Room
From Cooked Beans to a Thriving Tea Room: Judith Amis' Story of Resilience and Growth
Do you remember Judith’s story? She is one of the inspiring women in our Financially Empowering Microloans (FEM) for Women Program. Today, we are picking up where her story left off, and sharing how far she has come! From selling cooked beans by the roadside to building a spacious, brick tea room.
Judith Amis’ business began small by selling cooked beans in her village. Every day, she would rise before the sun to prepare the beans over a fire. By 11:00 AM, she could be seen carrying a basin on her head, heading to her usual spot under a tree by the roadside. There, she would sell relish to villagers during lunch hours.
This small business was her lifeline and it provided food for her family and helped pay her children’s school fees. But Judith had bigger dreams.
Enter the FEM Program
When she heard about Orant’s FEM Program, she saw an opportunity to grow her business. She applied for and received a small loan of K50,000 (approximately $30 USD), which she used to open a tea room. Her first structure, which she used as a tea room, was very basic, simple, small, and barely weatherproof. It was a start, but Judith knew it was not enough.
“I noticed that some customers would leave when they found my tea room full. I was slowly losing business as the structure was too small and could put us at risk during windy days,” she says.
Building Her Dream
Determined to grow, Judith began saving from the profits she made through her tea room. Bit by bit, she set aside enough money to begin constructing a more durable, spacious structure made of bricks.
After months of hard work and saving, we are happy to report that Judith has officially moved into her new tea room. The structure is solid and roomy, able to accommodate many more customers at once. It is not only safer and more comfortable, but also more inviting to new customers.
With the increased customer base, Judith has even had to purchase more cups and other utensils to keep up with the demand.
“This new structure has been a game-changer for my business. I can now serve more customers at once without worrying about space.” She narrates.
Looking Ahead
Judith isn’t stopping here. Her next goal is to put iron sheets on the roof of her shop to improve its durability. She is also saving towards her dream of opening a grocery shop alongside the tea room. In her own words, “I already have some savings set aside for the iron sheets. One step at a time, I’m getting closer to my dream.”
Through support from Orant’s FEM Program and her own relentless spirit, Judith is transforming her family, one cup of tea at a time.
