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Connections: Global Business Partners

Jonia Pastory
Mobile Kiosk

Jonia started her business with only one tea thermos
and six tea cups. In the mornings she prepares tea
cultivated locally and takes her thermoses to a neighboring primary school. There she sells cups of tea to the school children at $.50 TZS a cup. Recently Jonia came to know about the Global Business Partners program started by WGC in partnership with WGN in San Diego and BUWEA in Bukoba. Through the GBP
program a business partner in the US invests $ 200 dollars in a small business selected by the local organization that has some potential for growth. The money Jonia received was applied to the purchase of four new thermoses and twenty teacups. Her business is currently generating higher profits compared to what she was able to generate over one year ago.

The day WGC team visited Jonia’s business was hit by a heavy rain. The opportunity to experience Jonia’s challenge of selling tea under very difficult weather circumstances allowed us to suggest a couple of strategies for her success. Several school children were waiting under the rain to get a single serving of tea, their first “meal” after supper provided the night
before. They generally have to wait until 3pm to eat their first meal of the day.

Jonia cares for her husband who became disabled in April of this year. Besides her own children, Jonia is also caring for two children who were orphaned by the early death of her sister and brother-in-law.

Jonia is planning to get a second loan to be able to buy more thermoses, tea cups, and green tea leaves to prepare the tea she sells. She also hopes to build a kiosk to better serve her young customers.