Coffee liberated her life, then she used it to liberate the lives of other women
8 hours ago
- #coffee industry
- #women empowerment
- #Uganda
- Meridah Nandudu founded Bayaaya Specialty Coffee to empower women in her Ugandan village.
- Growing up, Nandudu witnessed gender inequality in the coffee industry, where women did most of the labor but men controlled the profits.
- Nandudu initially wanted to become a lawyer to help women but ended up studying social work due to circumstances.
- After a failed marriage left her destitute, Nandudu returned to her village to start a coffee business.
- She faced challenges due to lack of knowledge but gained skills through a Netherlands-funded training program.
- Nandudu convinced male farmers to let their wives sell coffee directly to her by offering financial incentives.
- Her business now supports over 600 women farmers, providing them financial independence and reducing domestic violence.
- Nandudu aims to expand her business to roasting and exporting coffee, creating more jobs for women.