INTRODUCING ESTER ZOMBA: THE INSPIRATIONAL BUSINESSWOMAN WHO OVERCAME FINANCIAL CHALLENGES TO SUPPORT HER CHILD'S EDUCATION

by: Chikumbutso Gasper Willard - 11|05|2023

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Ester Zomba is a single mother who faced financial challenges while trying to support her son's education. Her only child was studying at the Natural Resources College in Lilongwe, which is now part of the University of LUANAR. Ester struggled to pay the fees and provide her son with other scholastic materials, making it difficult for him to continue with his studies.

However, her luck changed when community members identified her as a beneficiary through a VSO Malawi funded project and implemented by FACE in Nsanje District-Malawi. She decided to start a business of buying Zitenje and selling them on credit to be paid within two months by her customers, who were mostly working-class individuals. This proved to be a successful venture for Ester, doubling her profits and enabling her to repay loans and borrow more money.

Ester's most significant achievement was purchasing a new HP laptop computer for her son. She was able to boost her business further by selling various items like food containers, plates, and other China ware, second-hand clothes, ground nuts, and rice, to be sold during the festive season of Christmas and New Year in December 2015.

As her son was in his final year of study, Ester planned to use the profits from her business to purchase new windows for her house and paint it. She shared that her life had completely changed because she no longer needed to borrow money from village and other banks that charged exorbitant interest rates.

Ester Zomba's success story is an inspiration to all those who face financial challenges while trying to support their families' education. Her determination and hard work have enabled her to overcome these challenges and achieve success in her business. Ester is proof that with dedication and perseverance, anything is possible.