Mt Kilimanjaro, TZ – After creating a new local market, Lishe Bora begins planning for next phase – 8 Dec 2017

Lishe Bora’s agriculture store benefitted families throughout Kilema and Kirua Counties by reducing the cost of farming and keeping livestock. Lower costs mean higher profits and more money for food, school fees, and home improvements. Neighboring shopkeepers noted Lishe Bora’s success and started carrying similar inventory. This cut into Lishe Bora’s profits. Now they are planning to transition their store from an agriculture store to a household goods wholesaler.

The primary purpose of Lishe Bora’s store was to make farm and livestock inputs more accessible for farmers. With so many stores selling these supplies, they feel the problem has been solved in a sustainable way. They have proposed a wholesale store to move themselves and local families along the path to self-reliance. Market research suggests that Lishe Bora could run a profitable business selling household goods to local retail shops. The business would generate income for Lishe Bora while also lowering the cost of goods for families and making local retail shops more efficient.

They are taking small, sustainable steps towards this new objective. Currently, they are researching the most important items to keep in inventory and the minimum inventory they can keep while still providing good service to their customers.