Breaking Barriers and Building Success: The Journey of Nduli Group in Mkuranga.

Mariamu Sufiani is the Chairperson of the Nduli Group, a baking group supported by TaTEDO SESO through the ISU-CHAVPRO project.

My name is Mariamu Sufiani, a 41-year-old resident of Mwandege, Mkuranga District. I am married and a mother of five children. I serve as the Chairperson of Nduli Group, a community-based organization striving for economic empowerment. In the past, my primary business was batik-making. However, due to high competition and limited market access, sustaining the business became challenging.

The Turning Point: Collaboration with TaTEDO SESO and ISU-CHAVPRO Project.

Faced with these challenges, our group sought support from the Mkuranga District Council’s Community Development Department. Through this engagement, the government connected us with TaTEDO SESO, an organization implementing the ISU-CHAVPRO project in five districts of the Pwani region. This initiative supports various community groups, including those in baking, beekeeping, solar drying, and alternative charcoal briquet production, intending to foster economic self-reliance.

Through the ISU-CHAVPRO project, our Nduli Group, consisting of eight members, received professional baking training. Following this, the project provided us with an energy-efficient baking oven, enabling us to transition from batik-making to a more profitable and sustainable business.

Growth and Economic Impact.

After applying the knowledge gained from the training, our group began producing bread, doughnuts, and cakes. Since launching this baking business, we have achieved significant financial growth, earning between TZS 100,000 and TZS 200,000 per week. Furthermore, our success has opened doors to business opportunities, including catering contracts for weddings and official government meetings organized by the Mkuranga District Council.

Paying Forward: Sharing Knowledge with Others.

Believing in the saying, "A good thing should be shared with others," we took the initiative to extend our knowledge to other community groups. So far, we have trained two additional groups consisting of eight and six members, respectively. Moreover, we have been invited by the Chairman of Mkokozi Village, Mr. Ahmed Kilo, to provide training to other community groups in Mwandege Ward, Mkuranga District.

Conclusion: A Future of Possibilities.

Through determination, collaboration, and the support of initiatives like the ISU-CHAVPRO project implemented by TaTEDO SESO, our journey from struggling batik-makers to successful bakers has been transformative. With continuous learning and business expansion, we aim to empower more groups, ensuring sustainable livelihoods and economic growth for our community.