In a remote district of Mozambique, in the province of Manica, 24-year-old Berta Arlindo stands out as a true entrepreneur, defying local adversities to carve out her own destiny. Residing in Macossa and holding a degree in accounting and auditing from the University of Chimoio, Berta decided to confront unemployment head-on and initiated a business of breeding and selling chickens last year.
For Berta, unemployment served as the catalyst that propelled her to find solutions to meet expenses. Despite efforts to secure employment after her studies, she was unsuccessful. Even with her husband employed, the desire to be self-sufficient and independent motivated her to venture into entrepreneurship.
Being an entrepreneur in Macossa is no easy task. The success of her chicken business heavily relies on market peaks, such as during Christmas and New Year, when demand increases. However, she faces slower months, making it challenging to sell her products. Berta encounters additional challenges due to the lack of access to poultry-related products and medications for treating chicken diseases, as there is no specialized store in Macossa.
The lack of access to these resources forces her to travel for five hours to Chimoio whenever she encounters health issues in her chickens. Despite these obstacles, Berta remains optimistic, acknowledging the country’s constraints but smiling in the face of difficulties.
Berta decided to start the chicken business for two main reasons. Firstly, she noticed the absence of direct competition in chicken breeding in Macossa, presenting a unique business opportunity. Secondly, she recognized the important nutritional value of chicken, especially in a region where access to animal protein sources may be limited.
The entrepreneur highlights the significant role of the DELPAZ program in the community, mentioning the distribution of seeds for agricultural practices. Additionally, Berta hopes to benefit from the training provided by the program in microcredit or marketing, aiming to attract new customers and improve the structure of her business.
Berta Arlindo acknowledges the additional challenges that women entrepreneurs face in Macossa due to the lack of opportunities, but her resilience and determination serve as sources of inspiration. Her story not only emphasizes the difficulties faced but also underscores the importance of programs like DELPAZ in empowering and supporting local communities in the pursuit of economic self-sufficiency.