Ketty is baking her way to a better life

In 2013, Ketty Akello was brought to Kawanga (Acholi Quarters)  by her aunt in search of a better life. Food was never enough, and opportunities were scarce. When her aunt got her a small job, Ketty began to earn a little, but it was barely enough to survive. Later, she met her husband, who worked in construction.  

In her small kitchen, she skillfully made samosas and mandazi to support her young family. Despite the challenges of being a young mother with limited resources, she remained determined to provide for her child. Her breakthrough came when she was identified by Reach Out Mbuya (ROM) and enrolled in the Maternal and Child Health (MCC) project. 

“When I got pregnant, life became even harder. “But ROM’s Community Health Worker, Mama Lillian was there for me. They even helped me get my baby’s birth certificate,” she recounts. 

Through MCC, Ketty not only accessed free maternal healthcare throughout her pregnancy but also found herself in a supportive network of other young mothers facing similar struggles. It was within this community that Ketty’s potential began to flourish. She actively participated in hands-on entrepreneurship and work readiness training, where she learned practical business skills, financial literacy, and teamwork. These new skills reawakened her vision for something bigger than her kitchen business. 

At the completion of the training, Ketty and her peers formed a business group composed of  eight (8) young mothers eager to build better lives. The group received a booster kit that enabled them to start a joint business venture. Ketty’s previous experience and newly acquired skills positioned her as a key contributor in the group through supporting product development, quality control, and daily operations. 

The turning point came when, through a strategic partnership between ROM and ATC, the group received additional startup equipment and materials (including a grinding machine, display table, packets of flout and others. With enhanced capacity, their operations grew and so did their confidence and unity. What started as a few women with small ideas became a structured, community-based enterprise where each member, including Ketty, had a role and a voice. 

Today, Ketty is not just running a business, but she is part of a growing movement of young mothers redefining what economic empowerment looks like. She mentors new members, advocates for women’s economic inclusion, and takes pride in the group’s achievements. 

On a bad day, we make at least 15,000 shillings profit. The good days are even better,” Ketty says proudly. 

Ketty’s life has transformed. She’s now a businesswoman, contributing to her family’s well-being. Her daughter is one year old, and she has set her sights on an even brighter future. 

“I plan to expand our business and save enough to build a house back in Amolatar district. That is my dream,” she says.