When Florence Kadungure joined Matibi Nook Hub in 2021 as a learner from Chamaona Village, she came with a desire to learn, grow, and create a better future for herself. Little did she know that her journey would one day inspire and empower other women in her community.
During her first cycle at The Nook, Florence explored organic detergent-making. She returned for the second cycle, where she developed skills in chemical detergent production and baking. Along the way, she discovered her passion for baking and started her own small cake-making business, which she continues to run today.
Her journey at The Nook did not end with learning new skills. Florence grew into a keyholder and is now a Community Fellow, taking on various responsibilities within Friends for Matibi (FFM).
But what makes Florence's story special is that she is not only building her own future; she is helping other women build theirs too.
Inspired by her own experience, Florence took the lead in supporting women's empowerment through FFM's Psychosocial Support (PSS) programme. The initiative focuses on equipping women with practical skills in baking, detergent-making, and poultry farming to help them explore income-generating opportunities.
Recently, FFM supported Florence to attend a three-day capacity-building training to advance her baking skills. She has since shared her knowledge with other women through practical baking sessions. Drawing on the skills she gained at The Nook, she has also facilitated detergent-making training, helping women explore opportunities to produce and sell their own products.
Meanwhile, the poultry farming group, supported by an Agritex Officer, has started its first batch of birds and is preparing for its first sales.
The baking and detergent-making teams are also beginning to test their products in the market, exploring customer demand, pricing, and potential buyers.
Although the initiative is still growing, the progress reflects an important step towards turning skills into livelihoods and creating opportunities for women to work towards financial independence.
At Friends for Matibi, we are proud of Florence's journey. From a learner discovering her potential to a Community Fellow sharing her knowledge with others, she represents the spirit of The Nook: learn by doing, grow through experience, and use what you learn to empower others.
Florence's story reminds us that sometimes the greatest measure of success is not just how far we go, but how many people we help move forward along the way.
At Matibi Nook Hub, we are not just building skills. We are nurturing people who create opportunities for themselves and their communities.