Benimana thrives as a female cobbler along Kabale-Katuna Road
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In South Western Uganda, along the busy Kabale-Katuna road, 45-year-old Jamila Benimana has built a successful shoe repair business from scratch, demonstrating resilience and determination in a field traditionally dominated by men.
A mother of eight, Benimana began her journey as a cobbler after her divorce, using the skills she learned from her ex-husband, who was also in the shoe-making business.
Despite initial setbacks and minimal capital, she used her limited funds to purchase essential materials and start mending shoes.
"It is rare to see women in trades like shoe-making, but I began with what little money I had," Benimana shared.
"Despite being a woman in a male-dominated field, my customers appreciate my first-class service."
However, Benimana faces challenges in expanding her business due to a lack of capital.
"I want to grow my business by adding more materials, but I need more funds to do so," she explained.
Benimana also expressed disappointment at being excluded from the Parish Development Model (PDM), a government initiative aimed at transforming subsistence households into participants in the money economy.
She recalled being discriminated against when she tried to join a group to benefit from the program.
"When I joined a group to benefit from the PDM, I was told, 'This one was not born here; let her register in Kisoro where she was born,' and I had to leave," Benimana lamented.
Her story serves as an inspiration to many, showing that with hard work and perseverance, anyone can overcome obstacles and achieve success, regardless of the challenges they face.
