Introducing Mwanzo Catering Service and Her Staff

A year ago, Mwanzo received a gift from a long-time donor organization, with the intention of supporting women from Rabuor Village in establishing a catering service that could serve the community while generating income for employees.  Community members researched options to purchase catering equipment along with a tent.   Below are several pictures capturing the items purchased and owner-employees of the Mwanzo Catering Service.

In Luo culture, catering for guests at funerals, weddings, and other events is important.  In the past, residents of Rabuor and surrounding communities hired outside businesses to cater events.  With the founding of our Mwanzo Catering Service, local residents are now receiving income from their work that supports households and strengthens their community.

To give you an idea of the success of this locally-identified and local-run enterprise, during the month of September 2018 our employees were hired to cater events on every weekend.  Staff work extremely hard to prepare and serve homemade food.  There’s a lot of effort required to pull off a successful event!

• Negotiating what is needed for the catering and price/cost of service, which typically depends on the number tables/people.

• Prep work including washing the tents and cleaning chairs.

• Employees wash their catering uniform and dishes.

• Employees hire transport to take the tents, chairs, tables and various catering items to the location — this is mostly done the evening before the event.  One or two staff travel to the site along with the materials.

• Staff sleeps overnight and prepares food for the guests.  At times they are hired to cook an evening meal for guests and lunch the following day. 

• Then they hire the truck to take their stuff back to the storage space in Rabuor.

On average, our enterprise earns $300 for the two days of work required.  Part of this money is paid out as earned wages, and part is saved to allow Mwanzo Catering Service to purchase additional supplies and materials:  dishes, utensils, chairs, plates, cups, and so on.

In the next months, Mwanzo is thrilled to be able to provide additional funds to expand opportunities for Mwanzo Catering Service and her employees to grow.  We thank the UCUCC Superfluity organization for their generous support!

Below are some of the women and men who are Mwanzo Catering Service:

Eight village women who are in the microfinance Woman’s group have gathered with their chef’s hats and aprons in a yard with trees and colorful buildings. One of them is holding a baby.

Four villagers who are in the microfinance Women’s group are preparing food with a cooking fire

A grill is being moved by four village people. They are in front of a building with an open red door with trees in the background.

There are many children in the school yard background and five village persons who are catering an event. They are seen setting up cups and beverages to be served.

Five men dressed in white jackets and green trim are standing around a table with a white and green checked tablecloth, ready to serve a catering event in the village.