Francisca Severina Kamala Pharmacy Journey
“Being able to focus on growth, not survival, is a dream come true,” says Mary Kamara, a skilled tailor from Sakina, Arusha. What once began as a modest home-based business has grown into a thriving enterprise—thanks to the timely support of the Imbeju Program.
Before the intervention
Mary’s journey was defined by hustle and uncertainty. Her tailoring business was limited by irregular cash flow. With no upfront capital, she often had to delay projects until customers made partial payments. This restricted her ability to fulfill bulk orders and prevented her from expanding.
That changed when she received TZS 4 million in seed funding from the Imbeju Program, a CRDB Bank Foundation initiative that supports women and youth entrepreneurs. With the capital, Mary was able to purchase fabric and materials in advance, pay her workers on time, and accept larger orders with confidence.
"Now, I’m no longer stuck in survival mode. I can plan ahead, take bigger risks, and deliver faster. My customers trust me more because they know I deliver quality, on time," she shares proudly.
The transformation was swift and visible. Mary landed significant contracts to supply school uniforms to Canossa Schools in Arusha and Alpha Omega Schools in Monduli. These deals marked a turning point—not only in her income but in her sense of stability. With the increased earnings, she paid off family debts, ensured her children remained in school, and improved her living conditions.
But Mary’s success didn’t stop with her. She brought others along with her.
Meeting growing demand
To meet the growing demand, she hired five temporary tailors from her neighborhood—young people who had skills but no consistent employment. For them, this wasn’t just a job; it was a chance to earn, learn, and build their confidence.
"When I see them working with pride, supporting their families, I feel something deeper than business success," Mary says with emotion. "It reminds me that growth is not just personal—it’s collective."
The Imbeju support gave Mary more than just financial breathing room. It gave her emotional clarity and a renewed belief in her purpose. She now mentors young women in tailoring and entrepreneurship, offering workshops and guidance to those who are just starting out. "Imbeju didn’t just fund my business. It helped me find my voice as a woman who can lead, uplift, and inspire," she says, her eyes shining with purpose.
Today, Mary’s workshop hums with activity, creativity, and ambition. Her story is a vivid example of how a simple act of support can spark ripples of change—empowering not just one entrepreneur, but a whole community.
The Imbeju Program continues to make that impact across Tanzania, transforming passion into enterprise and dreams into tangible, sustainable change.
Mary’s journey reflects the wider impact of the Imbeju Program, which has reached more than 576,723 entrepreneurs and invested over TZS 10 billion in seed funding across Tanzania. What started as a simple tailoring business is now part of a growing network of local enterprises driving change.