"Now I can meet my customers' needs much better," she says. "They trust that when they walk in, they’ll find what they’re looking for."

And the results speak for themselves—her daily customer count doubled, growing from around 20 to 40 people a day. To help manage the increased demand, Francisca hired a young assistant, creating another job in her community and improving the efficiency of her pharmacy.

Even more exciting, Francisca now has her eyes on the future. With the interest-free seed funding, she’s laying the groundwork to open a second pharmacy and reach even more people in need.

"This opportunity has helped me grow my business, but it’s also helped me grow my vision," she says with a smile.

But her journey didn’t stop there.

The financial stability she gained allowed her to improve her livelihood significantly. Francesca was able to renovate her home, support her younger siblings through school, and start saving for long-term investments. The second pharmacy, which she successfully launched a year later, became a beacon of hope in a neighboring village that previously lacked access to reliable medical supplies.

Emotionally, the experience transformed her sense of purpose. “I used to feel like I was just surviving,” Francesca reflects. “Now, I wake up every day knowing I’m building something meaningful—not just for me, but for my whole community.”

She has become a mentor to other women entrepreneurs in her region, sharing her story and guiding them through their own business journeys. Through her efforts, she’s not only changed her own life, but has empowered others to believe in their dreams.

Francisca’s story is one of many inspired by the Imbeju Program, which has supported over 576,723 entrepreneurs and disbursed more than TZS 10 billion in funding. It’s more than just capital—it’s a movement for growth, empowerment, and lasting change.