The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has stepped up efforts to empower small-scale business women in Torit town in Eastern Equatoria State by giving USD 300 each to 166 market vendors to boost their businesses.
The women vendors drawn from several markets in Torit town attended a three-day training in small business management that concluded on Wednesday at Dynamic Business Center.
Mohammed Tafiaul Islam, the head of the FAO field office in Torit, said they believe such grants will help the women expand their businesses and create more success stories.
“These vendors are very marginal vendors who are using small amounts of money for their business. Now we are giving them some money to top up their business so that they can expand their business and increase their income,” he said. “They can change their lives through this business. Most of our beneficiaries are women and do not get any support from other corners that is why we thought of giving some support to increase and enhance their businesses.”
According to Islam, FAO focuses on only women who are in agro-based businesses and those who buy goods from producers to sell in the market.
“They can change their livelihoods through their incomes. Our training gives some ideas on how to handle their business, keep records, see if the business has potential or not,” he said. “So, they already learned something from us. It is very important through this exercise, through training and grant support.”
Jaclyn Ben John, one of the beneficiaries appreciated the support from FAO and said she will use it to expand her business.
“I am happy with their training in business. My business was not running well. Recently I started the business of tomatoes, cabbage, fish, sesame, and groundnut paste,” she said. “I thank FAO for the support and I will expand my business and I advise the women in the market to handle their businesses very well so that they do not collapse.”
Vicky Rocko, another beneficiary and mother of six, said she will use the FAO grant to restock her business.
“I sell fish, paste, okra, greens, etc. and I would like to thank FAO for the support they have given us. This money will boost our businesses and we shall stock goods that have been lacking,” she said.