The Women of Tandika
All of these women are business owners and have benefited from the Tandika loan and mentorship program in Mbiko, Uganda. They are now able to provide for their families—those with children are able to cover school fees. They run their businesses with pride, feeling empowered.
Margaret
Margaret is Co-founder of and Director of Operations for the Tandika Nonprofit in Uganda where she oversees the loan and mentorship program. It is amazing how natural she is at supporting and leading others. She currently lives on Tandika land and is eagerly awaiting the community center to be built. Margaret is always there to lend a helping hand to those in need. Her hospitality blesses all who experience it.
After losing her husband to Aids she lived on the streets for many years with her 4 children. She has been a business owner now for many years and received some mentorship herself a few years back which helped her grow her business; which is now thriving. Over the course of her life she has experienced both disempowerment and empowerment which has given her a passion to help empower other women. Margaret loves to laugh.
Janet
Janet is a mentor and leader in Tandika. She is Margaret’s right hand woman and her story is where Tandika began. During the covid pandemic Janet was struggling to feed her twin boys and older daughter while also struggling with the effects of HIV. When Margaret’s son Wilber discovered her situation he set out to help however he could. Over the course of a few months he asked her if there was a business she would be interested in starting if she had the funds. She created a business plan and used the funds provided to start a charcoal business. This has since grown into a flourishing business that covers all her needs and pays for her children to be in school. Her HIV is now under control.
Watching Janet grow her business is what inspired the founders of Tandika to begin the loan and mentorship program in order to empower other women. She quickly became a leader and mentor in Tankida and has helped many women start and grow their businesses. Janet loves shoes.
Maama Naki
Maama Naki is the proud owner of a charcoal businesses but before she found Tandika she and her daughter went many nights hungry and homeless after losing her husband and son in a boating accident on Lake Victoria. She initially joined Tandika to help feed herself and her only daughter but she is able to do much more. Her daughter now attends a private school and hopes to become a nurse someday. Maama Naki enjoys videos about animals and has many pets of her own.
Shakira
Shakira is the mother of three and the owner of a vegetable business. When her husband passed away her children had to stop school. The vegetable business now provides the funds needed to care for her family and send her children to school. She is currently saving money to build her own house in 2 years. Shakira loves eating fruit.
Brenda
Brenda runs a vegetable business that provides for her and her two children who are now in school. They have all their needs met and her business is expanding. She is hard of hearing but does not let that get in the way. Brenda has a passion for fashion and enjoys dressing up on Sundays for church.
Ruth
Ruth has a stand where she sells fish and fruit. After getting pregnant in high school she had to drop out, was rejected by her family and was struggling to survive. Now she is her own boss and is able to provide for her child. She is saving to go back to school. She loves math.
Farida
Farida started a charcoal business and was mentored by Janet. Her business is thriving and provides for her and her son’s needs. Prior to starting the business her son had to stop going to school when her husband died in a motorcycle accident but now he is back in school and is excelling in his studies. They moved to another town so he could attend a very good school that offered him a scholarship because of his high grades. They are doing well in their new community. Farida loves to read the news and stay informed.
Mary
Mary owns a shop that sells food items. She is raising 4 children alone since her husband died in an accident. Before she started the business her children were not able to attend school regularly because she often could not pay the fees. Now the fees are all covered by her profits. Her children love spending time together. She is currently mentoring another woman in Tandika. Mary loves cars.
Maama Ibra
Maama Ibra runs a restaurant that serves breakfast and lunch. She is continuing to expand her business and add new items to her menu. Her two beautiful daughters are in school. The relationships she has made through Tandika have helped her and her daughters heal from the pain caused by her husbands abandonment of the family. Maama Ibra loves to help others.
Aida
Aida runs a fruit stand. She is a mother of one. Her husband is alive but is struggling with his mental health so she is the sole provider for the family. Her business has expanded and she now has two locations and pays an employee. Her son is in school and is doing well. Aida loves helping others, listening to music, and singing.
Hadija
Hadija is the owner of a small shop. After losing her husband to Aids she has become very vocal about the importance of a healthy lifestyle. Her business helps her feed her three children and pay for their schooling. Her future dream is to become a tailor. She is patiently waiting for Tandika to start a tailoring program. Hadija loves people, following fashion trends on social media, and dressing with style.
Diana
Diana is a mother of three and a proud shop owner. The business provides the funds for her children to go to a good school. Though she is quiet she has embraced the Tandika community and has formed close bonds with the other women. Diana loves spending time with people and she also loves food.
Rita
Rita sells vegetables and fruit in the market. She is the mother of two. After her husband died in 2019 she struggled to provide for her children. They are thriving and in school. Her business has grown and she has opened a second vegetable and fruit stand. She has a dream to own a hardware store in the future. Rita is a jolly person.
Helen
Helen sells juice and soda. Before starting her business she was homeless and had to drop out of school. She had to rely on help from a local church where she would often sleep. She is now doing amazing and no longer needs financial assistance. All her bills are covered and she is saving to go back to school in August 2024. Helen loves children and wants to become a teacher.
Maama Viola
Maama Viola owns a small restaurant. After losing her husband to Aids she was living on the streets with her daughter. Now she and her daughter are doing well. She is very dedicated to her work. When her daughter is not in school she is being trained by her mother to become a future business owner. Maama Viola loves soccer and supports Manchester.
