Woman vendor filling up questionnaire during the ‘Uplifting Women Street Vendors’ organised by Entrepreneurs Associates and supported by Capri Global Capital Limited on March 7.
Kohima, March 7 (MExN): Komuhero, a street vendor from Pudunamei, has been vending vegetables at Mao market for the past 17 years. She began her business with just Rs 40, when she was just 17 years old; purchasing a kg of Brinjal at Rs 15 and a bunch of mustard leaves for Rs 25 with her first capital. “I sold them the same afternoon. I was so happy to see my money had almost doubled. That’s when I decided I would get into the business full time,” Komuhero recalls.
Komureho was one among the many vendors who attended the programme of ‘Uplifting Women Street Vendors’ organised by Entrepreneurs Associates (EA) and supported by Capri Global Capital Limited.
“This is her first time attending such a programme and listened with rapt attention as the resource persons dealt with matters concerning her trade,” Neikule Doulo, Advisor & Head of Communications, EA said in a press note. “What was significant for her and her peers is the fact that EA has begun providing Interest Free Loans for vendors, after observing their plight post COVID 19 pandemic, when it was seen that they were unable to get back on their feet,” Neikule said.
Nearly 70 women street vendors from all parts of Kohima town attended the meeting on March 7, at the Aloha Learning Centre, Kohima. Chaired by Chunjanglu, Operations Supervisor, EA the meeting began with a prayer by Tsukjemnungla Ao, a street vendor from Mao market.
Soft Skills trainer, Susan Angami speaking on ‘enhanced customer service’, emphasized the importance of interpersonal skills to communicate more effectively with the customers. She stated that even a minute gesture could leave a huge impact on them. Greeting a customer with a smile regardless of one’s mood, having a positive attitude despite challenges, understanding customer’s need and being punctual were some of the issues highlighted. According to her, the present market scenario has changed with an increase in vegetable supply and more people willing to take up farming.
With the ‘Support Local’ tag, she believes that Nagaland is heading towards the right direction of self-sufficiency. She motivated the street vendors to take pride in their jobs and maintain self-respect. “If you see the bigger picture, your contribution is immense in reducing imports. You are where you are supposed to be, God has placed you here. Your job is not small,” stated Susan.
Accentuating the importance of financial planning, EA CEO, Neichute Doulo asked the vendors to set aside 20% of their earnings as savings, akin to Joseph in the Bible who advised the Pharoah of Egypt to put aside 20% of all productions in preparation for the famine. For them to scale their businesses and grow, Neichute encouraged them to be open to learning new skills and learning, but most importantly mastering the art of financial planning.
Neichute also informed that the Interest Free Loans currently provided by EA is the outcome of EA’s intervention to help street vendors during the two pandemic years, through relief distribution and facilitating incomes when they could not operate their businesses.
The Social Entrepreneur suggested that the women should also adopt technology to improve their businesses, citing the examples of EA’s programme on ‘Enabling Technology’ in Manipur wherein 800 women have been trained.
The attendees also learned about other schemes available under EA for their benefit. Many of the women are members of the programme which has so far covered 10 districts of Nagaland and Ukhrul district of Manipur; having impacted over 4000 women street vendors. EA has been conducting trainings for street vendors and empowering them through its various linkages, over the last 5 years.
