From Surviving to Thriving: How Sarah Nazziwa Built a Better Future for Her Family
Written by: Lilian Nansubuga
Every morning at 4 a.m., Sarah Nazziwa begins her day. Before most people are awake, she is already preparing her home, getting her children ready for school, and planning the day ahead.
For Sarah, these early mornings are a reminder of how far she has come.
The 45-year-old mother of three and grandmother of two from Luzira, Uganda, once struggled to make ends meet through a small vegetable shop selling tomatoes, onions, and oranges. Although she worked hard, she lacked the business knowledge and financial skills needed to grow her income.
“I didn’t know saving money was possible. Everything I earned went toward putting food on the table for my family and me,” Sarah shares.
As the sole provider for her family, Sarah carried the responsibility of supporting her household while ensuring her children stay in school.
When she heard about the Street Business School entrepreneurship training through a public announcement speaker system, she saw it as an opportunity to build a better future.
Her responsibilities at home initially made it difficult to attend, but Sarah was determined not to miss another chance. When the training was announced again, she made sure to join and even helped share the opportunity with other women in her community.
“When they called again, I made sure not to miss it. I really wanted to change my life,” she says.
One of the biggest lessons Sarah gained from the training was the importance of saving. Before, she had never considered setting money aside. Through practicing this new habit, she began saving daily and was surprised by how much she accumulated over time.
“I never saved before, but this training showed me how. I got a piggy bank and was surprised at how much I saved in six months. It helped me when my son needed money for school,” she says.
After completing the program, Sarah applied her new skills to strengthen her business. She became more creative, finding ways to reduce costs and increase her income. Instead of buying flour, she started making her own from cassava. Her small vegetable shop grew into a busier business offering fries, beef, vegetables, and pancakes.
Sarah also diversified her income by renting out a loudspeaker used for community announcements.
On good days, Sarah earns a profit of $5.28 from her business. She also saves $1.35 each day, helping her build financial resilience and prepare for future needs.
Today, Sarah manages multiple businesses while caring for her family. By 7 a.m., she is already at work, building the future she once only dreamed of.
Her greatest achievement is seeing her children continue their education.
“My son is in Senior Two, and that makes me proud. I never went to school, so seeing him learn is my biggest achievement. I do not want my kids to go through what I did. They keep me going.”
For Sarah, success is about more than earning an income—it is about creating opportunities for the next generation.
Her advice to other women is simple: start with what you have.
“Start small with whatever money you have. Grow your business bit by bit instead of waiting for something big to happen.”
Sarah’s journey shows that with determination, knowledge, and the courage to take the first step, small beginnings can grow into lasting change.
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