Two years ago, Rose’s husband became seriously ill, leaving her to care for him while also providing for their family. She faced an uncertain future. Without any education or training, she did not know where to turn.

But she heard about some women being part of a Five Talents group and decided to try it. She learned to read and write. Through business skills training, she learned to farm not just for subsistence, but to grow produce specifically for the market. She learned how to calculate her inputs, price her goods, and keep simple records. Training also taught her about loans, building small capital, and reinvesting her profits.

Rose also mastered the intricate art of coffee trading and roasting. She purchased a few sacks of green coffee beans with a small loan from her savings group, roasted them at home, and sold them for a small profit, which she reinvested in her business. Overtime, her business grew, and she used the earnings to build two rooms for rental income. 

Today, she is not just her husband’s caregiver; she is a provider, a farmer, a businesswoman, and a member of a supportive community of women. She is the pillar of her family.