Martha is a petty trader, she sells roasted maize
SBE 2024 Beneficiary Frugal Empowerment Foundation
Every afternoon, the warm scent of roasted corn drifts from Martha’s small roadside stand. With a bag of charcoal, a few ears of corn, and unshakable determination, she does what she can to earn a living. Her business may be simple, but for Martha, it’s her only means of survival and her way of caring for her children.
Running a roasted corn business comes with daily struggles. The cost of buying fresh corn, charcoal, and other supplies keeps rising, and unpredictable weather can ruin an entire days earnings. Still, Martha shows up, determined to make the most of every opportunity.
In 2024, Martha was chosen as a beneficiary of the Frugal Empowerment Foundation’s Small Business Empowerment (SBE) Project. With the support she received, she was able to buy more corn in bulk and invest in better roasting tools helping her serve more customers and improve her earnings.
I thank FEF for the support Martha says. It helped me move forward, even if the road is still hard. I want to grow, but I need more help to really stand.
Martha’s story reflects the reality of many women full of strength, but limited by lack of resources. The SBE project gave her a spark of hope, but sustainable growth takes more.
With your continued support, we can help women like Martha build stronger businesses, better lives, and brighter futures.