Suzan Ezatia a retired teacher runs one of the successful small enterprises in Arua Municipality, Nvara ward. Together with her partner Mr. John Ondoma also a retired teacher, the two decided to form Friends Cottage Industry, a sewing company, in 2002. Susan who acts as the production manager devotes all her time to the business and John does the marketing.

                 

UNDP through its Implementing Partner in the West Nile sub-region – West Nile Private Sector Development Promotion Centre (WENIPS) has trained Suzan in records keeping, financial management and accountability, marketing, quality control customer care. “With the training I received, I am able to tell whether I am making a profit or not because I now keep records and write books of accounts at the end of the year. I have also diversified the products I offer to my customers”, said Suzan. She now produces bed covers, sweaters for adults, children, scarves, shocks and head gear for the youth and babies. Her customers come from Arua Municipality, Adjumani and Koboko districts. These include schools, football teams and individuals. 

 

Suzan buys most of her raw materials from Kampala. With the income from the cottage business, Suzan has been able to buy land and put up a permanent house. She has also managed to pay fees for her five dependants and look after the family.

 

Friends Cottage Industry is growing. It now employees six permanent staff and has a training centre for people who want to learn knitting mainly senior four and six leavers. It also has a production unit and a training room. “We are planning to acquire more machines to be able to meet the increasing demand” says Suzan.

 

The industry produces on average 10 sweaters a day. As a growing business, it is faced with a number of challenges which include delayed payments, staff turnover, lack of capital, lack of power, and lack of technologically advanced equipment.

 

As a little girl staying with the missionaries, Suzan developed interest in learning how to knit. However, it was years later as a primary teacher that she acquired the knowledge and skills in knitting. Little did she know that something that started as a hobby would later sustain her in her old age. Suzan and John used their savings to finance the business and have six sewing machines.

 

With the growth in business and acquisition of new machinery and capital, Friends Cottage industry will be able to serve more customers and increase on its cliental and in future, be one of the model small enterprises in the region.

Suzan Ezatia a retired teacher runs one of the successful small enterprises in Arua Municipality, Nvara ward. Together with her partner Mr. John Ondoma also a retired teacher, the two decided to form Friends Cottage Industry, a sewing company, in 2002. Susan who acts as the production manager devotes all her time to the business and John does the marketing.

                 

UNDP through its Implementing Partner in the West Nile sub-region – West Nile Private Sector Development Promotion Centre (WENIPS) has trained Suzan in records keeping, financial management and accountability, marketing, quality control customer care. “With the training I received, I am able to tell whether I am making a profit or not because I now keep records and write books of accounts at the end of the year. I have also diversified the products I offer to my customers”, said Suzan. She now produces bed covers, sweaters for adults, children, scarves, shocks and head gear for the youth and babies. Her customers come from Arua Municipality, Adjumani and Koboko districts. These include schools, football teams and individuals. 

 

Suzan buys most of her raw materials from Kampala. With the income from the cottage business, Suzan has been able to buy land and put up a permanent house. She has also managed to pay fees for her five dependants and look after the family.

 

Friends Cottage Industry is growing. It now employees six permanent staff and has a training centre for people who want to learn knitting mainly senior four and six leavers. It also has a production unit and a training room. “We are planning to acquire more machines to be able to meet the increasing demand” says Suzan.

 

The industry produces on average 10 sweaters a day. As a growing business, it is faced with a number of challenges which include delayed payments, staff turnover, lack of capital, lack of power, and lack of technologically advanced equipment.

 

As a little girl staying with the missionaries, Suzan developed interest in learning how to knit. However, it was years later as a primary teacher that she acquired the knowledge and skills in knitting. Little did she know that something that started as a hobby would later sustain her in her old age. Suzan and John used their savings to finance the business and have six sewing machines.

 

With the growth in business and acquisition of new machinery and capital, Friends Cottage industry will be able to serve more customers and increase on its cliental and in future, be one of the model small enterprises in the region.