Celine Phuka, a young entrepreneur, has found success through her diverse business ventures.
After graduating from the Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (LUANAR) with a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work, Phuka struggled to secure employment, but she did not give up.
Like many young graduates, she faced challenges in securing a job. But her determination and resourcefulness led her to explore alternative paths.
Phuka’s journey into entrepreneurship begun when she discovered her passion for practical skills like sausage-making and wig-making. These skills eventually led to the establishment of her business, House of Solutions, which offers training sessions on various topics in farming and poultry production. Through her business, Phuka aims to empower others with the skills they need to succeed.
“I realised that I needed to think outside the box and create my own opportunities. That’s when I started focusing on practical skills like sausage-making and wig-making, which eventually led to the establishment of my business, House of Solutions and farming journey,” said Phuka.
She has made a significant impact through entrepreneurship, promoting women’s empowerment through skills training. The business has created jobs for women and youth across Malawi and continues to offer trainings, including farming.
With a small-scale egg production capacity, she has so far employed four workers, three on the farm and one at the chicken coop. Many women have also been trained since 2019 are now business owners, demonstrating the positive impact of the initiative on women’s employment and economic growth.
Phuka’s journey into farming began as a natural progression of her entrepreneurial spirit. Having established her business, House of Solutions, she saw an opportunity to diversify her ventures and explore the agricultural sector. She started farming, focusing on crops such as Irish potatoes, cabbage, beans and then ventured into poultry.
Through her farming experience, Phuka gained valuable knowledge and skills that she now shares with others through her training sessions.
Her expertise ranges from effective farming practices to best approaches for managing crops and livestock to empower others to succeed in agriculture.
“My goal is to have a mega farm where I can employ as many people as I can. As of now, I only offer seasonal employment. My other goal is to help people acquire skills that can help them earn a living and improve their livelihoods,” she added.
One of Phuka’s beneficiaries, Mary Sandiwelo, spoke highly of her training programmes.
“I was struggling to make ends meet, but Celine’s training on sausage-making has given me equipped me with the skill which has become a source of income,” said Chikondi.
Agriculture expert, Peter Mwitha also praised Phuka’s innovative approach.
“Celine’s work in promoting practical farming skills is a welcome development. Her approach can help address some of the challenges facing Malawian farmers,” said Mwitha.
Phuka’s journey is an inspiration to many young Malawians facing similar challenges. Her story highlights the importance of adaptability and farming in overcoming obstacles and achieving success. As she continues to grow, Phuka remains committed to empowering others and making a positive impact on her community.
“I’m passionate about helping others and making a difference in my community. I am excited to see the impact that my business together with farming can have on people’s lives and I’m committed to continuing to innovate and improve my services,” added Phuka.
