We taught women self-reliance through baking cakes, mandazi, and other pastries

1. Skill development for economic empowerment
   Through hands-on training in cake making, mandazi, and a variety of pastries, women acquired marketable vocational skills. Learning ingredient selection, dough preparation, baking techniques, and presentation means they can confidently produce goods that meet both health and aesthetic standards—an asset whether they work from home, in local bakeries, or in small cooperatives. Such culinary proficiency directly translates into income generation, helping women support themselves and their families. In similar programs in Rwanda, participants not only increased earnings significantly but also reinvested in their households, underscoring the economic value of artisanal skills (wccatc.edu.ph).
2. Boosting confidence and independence
   As women mastered baking techniques and began selling their treats, many reported a surge in self-esteem and agency. The act of turning raw ingredients into finished products fosters pride and a sense of accomplishment. Observations from empowerment baking programs reveal that participants also gain independence—not merely financially but emotionally—feeling proud to provide for themselves and contribute meaningfully to their communities.
3. Fostering entrepreneurship and community impact
   Our training goes beyond recipes—it includes simple business management, pricing, hygiene standards, and basic bookkeeping. Participants are guided in developing business plans and establishing small bakery ventures or market stalls. Empowerment baking initiatives worldwide have shown that equipping women with entrepreneurial knowledge encourages them to transform these budding skills into sustainable micro-businesses, creating local jobs and strengthening community economies.
4. Strengthening social networks and shared growth
   Group-based baking workshops cultivate solidarity and peer support. Women share recipes, trade advice on sourcing ingredients, and encourage one another through challenges. Drawing parallels from successful cooperatives in the region, such collaborative learning nurtures financial resilience and equality, breaking down social barriers and elevating women's status in traditionally male-dominated spaces (Sisters Rising).