Tanzania Communities Rise Foundation has launched the Mama Lishe Gala – Season One (Women Food Vendors Gala One), officially introduced on 15th June 2024. This transformative initiative focuses on empowering women street food vendors, a vital group within the local economy that often operates without adequate capital, resources, and structured support.
Season One has successfully supported 25 Mama Lishe by providing start-up capital and essential supplies such as rice, beans, sugar, cooking oil, clean cooking equipment, wheat flour, and soap. This assistance has strengthened their ability to run their businesses more efficiently and sustainably.
Through continuous monitoring and evaluation, Tanzania Communities Rise Foundation has noted a steady daily increase in the income of the participating women. This positive financial growth has encouraged many of them to take important steps toward long-term financial security, including opening personal and business savings accounts—an achievement that many had not previously accessed.
Following the success of Season One, the foundation has established a long-term goal to empower 10,000 Mama Lishe across Tanzania. Expanding the program aims to provide more women with training, resources, and opportunities needed to uplift their businesses and improve their livelihoods. To support this vision, Tanzania Communities Rise Foundation is engaging donors and stakeholders committed to advancing women's economic empowerment at the grassroots level.
In addition to material and financial support, Mama Lishe Gala – Season One includes strong educational components. The program conducts seminars focused on essential entrepreneurship skills, life skills, and goal-setting strategies. These sessions take place across various regions to ensure that women from different backgrounds and communities have equal access to knowledge and opportunities.
Through this comprehensive approach, Mama Lishe Gala – Season One (Women Food Vendors Gala One) continues to promote self-sufficiency, sustainable entrepreneurship, and long-term economic resilience for women street food vendors throughout the country.
The impact of this initiative extends far beyond individual businesses. As these women grow their enterprises, they reinvest in their families' education, health, and well-being, creating a ripple effect that strengthens entire communities. Children receive better nutrition, families achieve financial stability, and women gain respect and recognition in their communities as successful entrepreneurs.
The foundation's commitment to sustainable development means that each Mama Lishe is not just receiving support today, but is being equipped with the knowledge and resources to build thriving businesses that will sustain them for years to come. This holistic approach to women's economic empowerment is transforming lives, one vendor at a time, while building a more inclusive and prosperous Tanzania.