Now the proprietor of a successful tailoring business in Ndola, Zambia, Annie Mweemba was once unable to find a job despite completing a two-year tailoring course. After spending time at home helping her parents with domestic chores, Annie thought of using their old sewing machine to start her own business.
She began by advertising her home-based business but met with negative attitudes because she uses a wheelchair. Annie persisted, however, and eventually people began bringing her their sewing. At first her business was not profitable because she had a lot of competition from other tailors, but she continued to work hard to earn a living.
Annie’s efforts coincided with the launch of the livelihoods pilot project at the Ndola Cheshire Home. Designed to support people with disabilities in starting their own businesses, the project offered small loans and business management training, with the ultimate goal of increasing disabled people’s income.
The project provided Annie with a loan of Kwacha 2,500,000 (approximately £400) to expand her business. Since a major obstacle had been her inability to buy raw materials, Annie used the loan funds to do this. From the profits she made, Annie also diversified by buying a minibus that she uses to provide transport for a fee.
The combination of Annie’s very hard work and the loan has led her business to flourish. Her next challenge is to buy state-of-the-art machines such as embroiderers, which will help her to compete more effectively in the local market.
The livelihoods project in Ndola has now scaled up to reach more people with disabilities in the area. Annie hopes one day to get another loan and also to see other women with disabilities become empowered to start their own businesses. “For a person with a disability and skills, the loan will change his or her life,” says Annie.
