“During an exposure visit as part of Imarika Kijana's, I met a vet who helped me learn about livestock keeping. He helped me realize my dream. In the next ten years, I hope to become a husbandry and entrepreneurship trainer so that I can help others. Many people in my neighborhood have come to me for advice on raising chickens, cows, goats, and pigs. I will be able to economically empower many youth and eradicate poverty in my community.”
My name is Beatrice Mtao, and I am 26 years old. I am a mother of three children and a motivator for VSLA (Village Saving, Loan Association) groups in my community, as well as an ambassador for the Imarika Kijana Project. The most difficult challenge that we girls face is the attitude toward starting a business; many people believe that you need a lot of money as capital to be an entrepreneur. They don't believe that a small amount of money can help you generate and grow your business.
In 2020, I had the opportunity to participate in Lyra’s entrepreneurship project since I started the entrepreneurship training, it has greatly benefited me in setting goals in my business and this in turn has helped me achieve things in my life as a woman I could not have done before. For example, in the past, I did business habitually and never had goals in my activities”.
“I grew up with the mindset of other girls who did not receive this training that in order to be .successful, someone should come out and give you financial support. When you are given training, it is a significant and long-term help”.
Beatrice describes her business and how she got started: “the business I do now is breeding. I raise a variety of livestock, including pigs, goats, cows, and chickens. My livestock has been rapidly increasing
A journey toward entrepreneurship and capital generation
I grew up selling vegetables and earned 50,000 Tshs, which enabled me to purchase a female pig, care for her, and have her give birth. I currently have 23 pigs that I am confident will be well fed because I also farm, so I have about 20 sacks of animal feed. So when I first started, I only had one goat, but now I have 40 goats, one cow worth 8000000/=, but now I have 7 cows.
Beatrice goes on to say, "I have big goals in my business, and it's all because of Lyra’s Imarika Kijana's training." To be able to generate income, I rely on purchasing a motorcycle (toyo) that will assist me in various activities. And in terms of pigs, I expect to serve at least 20 pigs if they reach the value of 300000/= I can sell them and bring in a small amount of money like Tshs 6000000/= if I combine it with goats and cows I think I will be able to achieve the goals
Financial Management
Beatrice went on to say that when she sells her livestock, she allocates the proceeds based on pre-existing goals. For example, the animals require food, which means that the business must function properly; the profit generated goes to the VSLA group as a weekly savings, and the remainder is allocated to small needs so that my money is not wasted.
What has changed since Imarika Kijana project?
Many things have changed in my business, and I can confidently say that Imarika Kijana's training is responsible for 99% of what I've accomplished. Beatrice continues, "I expect to have a larger role in breeding in the next ten years than I do now, which is a challenge for the livestock I have now." I want to find a large area, which I have found so far but only to pay for, to relocate my house and livestock.
“During an exposure visit as part of Imarika Kijana's, I met a vet who helped me learn about livestock keeping. He helped me realize my dream. In the next ten years, I hope to become a husbandry and entrepreneurship trainer so that I can help others. Many people in my neighborhood have come to me for advice on raising chickens, cows, goats, and pigs. I will be able to economically empower many youth and eradicate poverty in my community.”
Beatrice is one of many Tanzanian youth who have benefited from the Imarika Kijana project run by Lyra in Africa. The Imarika Kijana is a youth entrepreneurship course that provides new opportunities for young people aged 15 to 28 who have dropped out of school or have few employment options. To learn more about the project and how you can help reach out to more youth, please visit www.lyrainafrica.org .
Written by : Alice Norbeth