The story of Cissy Apiyo is a story about perseverance and determination after losing her parents at the age of seven and being left to take care of her nine siblings.
To support her family, thirteen-year-old Cissy resorted to working in odd jobs before getting married at fifteen, with the assumption that it would ease life for her and her siblings at home. Despite these obstacles, Apiyo’s entrepreneurial spirit and desire to rise beyond all odds were evident.
Residing Lologo in Juba, she began selling honey and peanut butter. Yet another innovative way in which she earns a living entails recycling plastic into useful household products. She was struggling with capital with no access to finance, however, a loan from UNDP and the African Development Bank improved her business and status. The 6 million South Sudanese Pounds (SSP) loan and invaluable training in marketing, business planning, and keeping financial records have resulted in the rapid growth of Apiyo’s business enterprise.
She stocked her shop. She now packages her peanut butter and honey improving the quality. This has increased her sales to about SSP 30,000 per day. She says she can now assist in educating her children and support her siblings while providing them with other basic needs, something she struggled with before.
Apiyo’s impact on the community goes beyond her entrepreneurial success. She is an asset to the community. As the current woman representative of Lologo, she offers apprenticeships free of charge to the youths in the community to prevent them from engaging in petty crimes. She is currently training four women and two men hoping to see them start their enterprises.
“I want to thank UNDP and the African Development Bank for their unwavering support,” she says. “UNDP has been helpful to many youth in South Sudan. They empower youth and women.”
The young entrepreneur aims to go further afield than South Sudan with her business. She envisions her honey and peanut butter widespread in the global markets; her artifacts are recognized internationally. Her story is a good example of the positive changes that can be brought by support and opportunity that give hope and inspiration. This is a perfect vision for the future indicating that even the greatest dreams are possible with the right support.
The successful journey of Apiyo who turned from a refugee orphan to a successful entrepreneur proves that people can change their lives despite the circumstances if they are focused, supported, and given opportunities.