Grocery Store (fresh produce & whole food packaging)

Hope Health Pharmacy 

Members:

Aichatou Djibrine, Fatna Hassan Mahamat, Amira Abakar Adoum, Rahma Youssouf Moussa, Mouna Ali Mahamat, Amina Idriss Déby, Zakia Hassan Idriss, Narguis Mahamat Saleh, Khadija Abderahmane Brahim, Hadjara Oumar Mahamat, Fadila Aboubacar Issa, Soumia Abdoulaye Ba, Mariam Mahamat Abakar, Aïcha Oumarou Souley, Fatoumata Amadou Issa, Ramatou Yacouba Oumarou, Bintou Mamadou Diallo, Kadidja Aboubacar Hassane, Hawa Idriss Mahamat, Dalila Abdoulaye Moussa

Email: rahmabeju@gmail.com

Phone: +223563221798 (tiogo) network 

What does humanism mean to your group?

Growing up in N'Djamena, I (Rahma Moussa) was taught to accept traditional religious roles: marrying young, having children, and managing the home. These practices were deeply ingrained in our culture and religion and many of us believed there was no other way. However, as we gained access to education, things began to change. With our newfound knowledge, many women started questioning the religious restrictions placed on us, inspired by humanism the idea that every individual deserves dignity, equality, and the freedom to make their own decisions. Through education and exposure to global movements on gender equality, we realized we didn’t have to accept outdated religious practices and could pursue education, careers, and our own paths without fear of judgment or afterlife punishment.

As social media and global movements for women's rights grew, we in N'Djamena found solidarity and strength in the stories of others challenging similar religious and patriarchal structures. These stories inspired and empowered us, showing us that we were not alone in our desires for change. The more we shared our experiences and supported one another, the more we began to build a collective movement rooted in the freedom of humanism. This journey of empowerment has been gradual, but as we embraced humanism, education, and global awareness, we rejected limiting religious traditions and started building a new vision of womanhood. It’s a vision where we are free to make our own choices, live with dignity, and pursue equality without being confined by the religion and expectations of the past.

Project Description

This project aims to establish a Grocery Store with Whole Food Storage, Preservation, and Packaging for the Hope Women Humanist Pharmacy in Chad. The primary purpose of this initiative is to create a sustainable source of income that will support the ongoing operations of the pharmacy, ensuring the availability of essential medicines and medical equipment while also empowering the women involved in the project. By strategically setting up a grocery store specializing in properly stored, preserved, and packaged whole foods such as cold pressed juice, spice, grains, nuts, dried fruits, and spices, the project seeks to address both economic and health-related challenges faced by the local community. In Chad, access to quality healthcare and affordable medicine remains a significant challenge, particularly for underprivileged communities. Many pharmacies struggle to maintain an adequate stock of essential medications due to financial constraints, leading to gaps in healthcare service delivery. 

The Hope Women Humanist Pharmacy has been a critical support system for the local community, providing much-needed medical supplies and reproductive health products. However, without a sustainable financial model, the pharmacy faces difficulties in maintaining its stock and expanding its services. Additionally, food insecurity and poor nutrition remain pressing concerns in many communities. Lack of access to properly stored and preserved whole foods contributes to malnutrition, food waste, and economic hardship. By launching this Whole Food Storage, Preservation, and Packaging Grocery Store, the project will provide the community with access to affordable, well-preserved, and properly packaged nutritious foods, reducing food spoilage and ensuring food security. Furthermore, economic empowerment is an essential component of this initiative.

Women in the Hope Women Humanist Pharmacy group often struggle to meet their individual financial needs due to limited economic opportunities. By engaging them in the operations of the grocery store, the project will create a source of income for these women, allowing them to gain financial independence while contributing to a greater social cause. The store will be managed collectively, ensuring that profits are reinvested into the pharmacy for medical supplies, used to maintain and expand the store, and allocated to support the individual needs of the women involved in the initiative.

With an initial funding request of $1,500, this project will enable the establishment of a small-scale but impactful business that will serve as a long-term solution to financial challenges faced by the pharmacy and its members. The store will function as a self-sustaining enterprise, with a portion of its revenue reinvested into the pharmacy to ensure a consistent supply of essential medications while the remaining profits are used for store operations and member support. This initiative not only fosters health and well-being by improving access to medicine and nutritious food but also promotes self-reliance and economic empowerment for women. By supporting this project, we can create a lasting impact that extends beyond just one business enhancing healthcare, reducing food insecurity, and uplifting the women in the Hope Women Humanist Pharmacy group through meaningful economic opportunities.

This investment will not only yield financial sustainability for the pharmacy but also contribute to the broader vision of empowering women and improving community health in Chad. The success of this project will serve as a model for future sustainable initiatives, demonstrating how small-scale businesses can be leveraged to solve critical social and economic challenges in marginalized communities.

Budget

1. Store Setup & Infrastructure

• Shop space rental (A year) – $150

• Basic shelving and storage racks – $120

• Counter table and chairs for store operations – $30

2. Food Storage & Preservation Equipment

• Airtight storage containers (various sizes) – $125

• Food drying racks – $43

• Vacuum sealer machine – $35

• Seal-able food-grade bags and plastic containers – $27

• Measuring scales for accurate packaging – $17

• Refrigerators and freezers 2 units -- $440

3. Initial Stock of Whole Foods

• Dried grains (rice, millet, sorghum, maize, etc.) – $100

• Legumes (beans, lentils, chickpeas, etc.) – $80

• Dried fruits and nuts (dates, peanuts, cashews, etc.) – $100

• Herbs and spices (ginger, pepper, hibiscus, etc.) – $70

• eggs -- $33

4. Branding & Packaging Materials

• Labels and stickers for packaging – $50

• Branded paper bags for customer purchases – $50

• Small plastic scoops and measuring cups for packaging – $30

Total $1500

Expected Income from Project, with Timeline

Phase 1: Project Setup & Launch (April – June 2025)

April – May 2025

• Secure and rent shop space

• Purchase and install shelves, racks, counter tables, and chairs

• Procure necessary storage and packaging equipment (airtight containers, vacuum sealer, food drying racks, etc.)

• Source initial stock of grains, legumes, dried fruits, nuts, and spices

• Design branding materials (labels, stickers, branded paper bags)

June 2025

• Official store opening and community awareness campaign

• Begin sales and distribution of whole foods

• Establish marketing strategies (social media, flyers, and partnerships with local vendors)

Phase 2: Growth & Market Expansion (July 2025 – March 2026)

July – September 2025

• Monitor sales trends and optimize inventory levels based on demand

• Introduce seasonal promotions and special discounts to attract more customers

• Expand product variety based on customer feedback

October – December 2025

• Establish supply chain partnerships with local farmers to reduce costs and ensure fresh stock

• Launch online order and delivery options (if feasible)

• Conduct training sessions for women involved in store operations

January – March 2026

• Evaluate financial performance and adjust business strategy

• Consider reinvesting profits to expand storage and refrigeration capacity

Projected Revenue (End of Year 1 – March 2026)

• Estimated Monthly Revenue: $500 – $700

• Estimated Monthly Expenses (rent, restocking, operations): $300 – $400

• Estimated Net Profit (Year 1): $2,000 – $3,500

Phase 3: Business Stabilization & Expansion (April 2026 – March 2027)

April – September 2026

• Strengthen supplier relationships to reduce costs and improve profitability

• Begin bulk purchasing to increase profit margins

• Increase outreach efforts through community engagement programs

October – December 2026

• Evaluate the feasibility of opening a second store or expanding the current space

• Introduce additional products such as fresh fruits, vegetables, and homemade food items

January – March 2027

• Assess business growth and reinvest in infrastructure improvements

• Diversify revenue by introducing wholesale supply options to other small businesses

Projected Revenue (End of Year 2 – March 2027)

• Estimated Monthly Revenue: $800 – $1,200

• Estimated Monthly Expenses: $400 – $600

• Estimated Net Profit (Year 2): $5,000 – $8,000

Phase 4: Sustainability & Scaling (April 2027 – March 2028)

April – September 2027

• Expand marketing efforts to reach a larger customer base

• Explore additional funding or partnership opportunities for further business expansion

October – December 2027

• Introduce training programs for other women entrepreneurs interested in food packaging and distribution

• Develop a savings and reinvestment plan for further business sustainability

January – March 2028

• Evaluate overall business impact on pharmacy funding, food security, and women’s empowerment

• Consider franchising the model to other regions in Chad

Projected Revenue (End of Year 3 – March 2028)

• Estimated Monthly Revenue: $1,200 – $1,800

• Estimated Monthly Expenses: $500 – $700

• Estimated Net Profit (Year 3): $9,000 – $15,000

Benefits to your Community

Creation of a sustainable income source for the Hope Women Humanist Pharmacy.

Increased access to essential drugs and medical supplies

Improved food security and availability of affordable whole foods.

Economic empowerment of women in the community.