Business Startup
Our goal is to help families achieve sustainable self-sufficiency through business income generated by the caregiver.
Sustaining a Family
Impoverished Reality
There are many ways to define poverty: earning below $3.65/day in the U.S., $3.00/day based on 2025 UNSDG standards, and, according to the UN, extreme poverty at $2.15/day. We may agree that all levels are extreme, with families barely meeting basic food and shelter needs. In Tanzania, 74% of rural people are below the extreme line, surviving on less than $670 per year.* Kulea Villages is trying to change this, especially for households led by single women.
Community Support
We collaborate with caregivers, community leaders, and local social workers to identify a business that meets a need and can be supported by the community.
We work closely with the community Mjumbe leader to support the business. This includes selecting a strong business opportunity, assisting our caregiver in an initial market study, startup, and continued support for growth. Our business owners are often vocal supporters of other caregivers and a source of life skills support.
Entrepreneur Training
Before a caregiver starts a business, they will complete a training course that includes identifying a good business opportunity, managing inventory, finding community support, handling funds and savings, planning and resources for growth.
Future owners conduct a hands-on market survey in their community and develop a business plan. Both are necessary to secure startup funding. More importantly, these steps help develop ownership and leadership in the new business leader.
Business Startup Funds
Rather than providing cash, Kulea Villages walks alongside caregivers, helping them purchase initial supplies and learn to negotiate so they can launch their businesses successfully. We discuss business expansion in our training and they start a savings plan on the first day of the business. Caregivers have full ownership of their business, and when ready to expand it, they use their savings.
During the first few months, we continue to address crisis needs, such as food and, or rent for the home, so that savings can be maintained initially for the caregiver's business expansion.
Coaching Support
Kulea Villages provides support to caregivers and business owners, particularly during the start-up phase of a new venture. We visit the new business, including surprise visits by our social workers and a community leader, during which we cheer them on, review record-keeping, verify savings, and discuss challenges they may be facing. We maintain communication with families for at least 6 months to provide ongoing coaching, support, and problem-solving as needed.
Community Impact
We have begun to see the impact of life skills training, preventative health training and business startups on the community.
When Kulea Villages began, we felt that a focus on child education was the way to develop future leaders. But since adding a focus with caregiver education in both life skills and entrepreneurial skills, we have seen a two-fold impact on our children and their communities. Having a parent who has confidence in themselves and believes in continuous learning helps a child want to excel.