July 22, 2011

An African Entrepenuer



Mary first meet Mr Luka when he was a houseboy for a family in her village. He had finished a few years of primary school and was then sent out to work.

The family he worked for made cheese and Luka was keen to help and to learn.

A few years ago he found an investor to start his own cheese making business. Today he employs five people and is selling all he makes.

His factory supports the local dairy industry and provides employment. In addition, the whey from the milk that is not used for cheese making is left outside for people to take to feed themselves or their animals.

 These boys would not have a job or a future without Mr Luka


 He has all his licences to sell cheese and butter and is supplying a lot of local restaurants and hotels. As soon as he can afford to buy the machine to vacuum seal the cheese, he will be selling into supermarkets.


As well as cheese Mr Luka grows oyster mushrooms in a wooden shed in plastic bags of washed maize waste. He has built a solar dryer for the mushrooms and sells mostly into the safari /camping market.



There is also a shed for the chicken and egg business.


We bought up big as the retail price of cheese is outrageous here.


After our factory tour Mr Luka invited us into his home for tea, bread and jam. Here he is with his daughter Lucy.