Success: from a trainee, to an employer, Scovia, 26, was empowered by Save the Children.

Scovia, 26 owns a Restaurant business after training . Photo: Tito Justin/Save the Children

The population in Eastern Equatoria, South Sudan is made up of smallholder farmers cultivating their land of a size less than 1 hectare. They are mostly exposed to precarious food security conditions due to lack of agricultural inputs, skills and access to market.

Most of them, especially women, Internally Displaced Persons and returnees are struggling to meet the cost of living. They are unable to buy items for home use or pay school fees for her children.

Scovia, 26, is a single mother of three. She is the sole breadwinner of her family including her two sisters and aging parents in Eastern Equatoria.  

In 2021, Scovia enrolled at Magwi College of Agribusiness and Management Science, a Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) centre supported by Save the Children with funds from BMZ. She received her training on catering and hospitality.

After the training, Save the Children gave Scovia catering start-up kits to establish her own business. Scovia is now a restaurant owner and employer in Eastern Equatoria because of the support from Save the Children.

Her restaurant started with 3 tables, 6 plastic chairs and 3 wooden benches. She also employed two other young women to support her in running the business.Within few months, Scovia said she immediately began to reap the benefits of her restaurant. She has so far managed to save 110,000 South Sudanese Pounds ($280).

Through her business, Scovia is able to take care of the needs of her three children, pay their school fees and support her sisters and parents.

Scovia’s story in her own words.

“After I received the training, my life has changed; things are going well for me.

We completed the training in July 2021 and by September; I started my small restaurant business. When we started, I got a profit of about 15,000 South Sudanese Pounds [$40] selling food in the restaurant. I used 5,500 South Sudanese Pounds to buy more food items.

Then after that, when I buy items for 7,000 South Sudanese Pounds ($20), I make about 51,000 South Sudanese Pounds [$60] per day.  This money has lessen the problems I face in life. I now pay school fees for my children, when there is any sickness; I use the money to get treatment. I also use part of the money to support my extended family. I also have some savings.

I have kept aside 110,000 South Sudanese Pounds [$280]. This is apart from the money I am using to sustain my business. All I can say to Save the Children is that I am very happy for the assistance and for changing my life. I pray that it continues with this kind of empowerment. I am thankful to the donors for support us”

About the project

Catering and hospitality trainees prepare food as part of their training. Photo: Tito Justin/Save the Children

Save the Children is implementing a support to the livelihoods recovery, reintegration and resilience of conflict affected IDPs, returnees and host communities project in Eastern Equatoria, South Sudan. The project is funded by BMZ to sustainably improve the food security and Resilience of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), returnees and host communities in Eastern Equatoria.  It targets 142,926 (direct) and 75000 (indirect) beneficiaries. The project is to improve production among households living of agriculture and livestock, diversify youth livelihood and income opportunities through business skill trainings and/or access to credit and reduce acute malnutrition and stunting among under five children.

Story written by: Daniel Danis/Tito Justin/Save the Children