Hawa Williams is a former teacher at Damiefa School who now works as a Women’s Club Assistant at Mineke Foundation. For the past seven months, she has been supporting the women in our programme, coordinating activities, following up on their businesses, and making sure no one has to figure it out alone.
We asked her a few questions about her work.
What does a typical day look like for you?
“I help coordinate Women’s Club activities, support training sessions, and sometimes provide field support. I also update the membership database, register new members, manage sign-in sheets. I call and send SMS reminders to members about meetings. And I support the team with any other tasks when needed.”
How do you support the women beyond the practical side?
“I give guidance and encourage them, and follow up on their business activities. I also help them better understand what they learn during the training and stay engaged with them while monitoring their progress.”
Can you share a moment that made you proud?
“There was a woman who didn’t know what kind of business to start. I convinced her to attend the pastry training and explained to her that food is something that goes fast on the market and even in the community. After attending the pastry training, she became excited about what she learned and decided to start making and selling the kala* she learned how to make. Now, her business is growing, and she is much more confident in herself. Seeing that kind of transformation is very rewarding for me.”
What challenges do you see most often?
“A lack of capital and difficulty managing finances. Many women run small businesses but don’t have enough money to buy more goods or expand. Some also mix their business and personal money, which makes it harder for the business to grow.”
What makes the Women’s Club different, in your view?
“We don’t just provide support and leave the women on their own. We walk with them step by step. We offer practical skills training, business support, and the SCF, but we also follow up closely to see how the women are progressing. The women are not just learning, they are also sharing their experiences, encouraging each other, and growing together. So it’s not just about helping women start or grow their businesses, it’s about building their confidence, independence, and giving them a support system they can rely on.”
*Kala
One of the most popular street foods in Liberia is kala, a lightly sweet, deep-fried dough ball with a soft interior and crisp exterior.
It is made from a mixture of flour, sugar, yeast, and water, allowed to ferment slightly before being dropped into hot oil.
Interested in making this delicious snack? Try this recipe!