June 2, 2025
News
Jollie is a 38-year-old passionate entrepreneur who cooks traditional Zambian dishes in her own restaurant in the heart of the Meheba refugee settlement. However, her life has not always been easy. Due to armed conflict, she fled with her family from the Democratic Republic of the Congo to Zambia. Today, she is striving to build a successful business from her restaurant, with support from Caritas Czech Republic.
The journey to successful entrepreneurship
Jollie was still a child when she had to leave her home in the Democratic Republic of the Congo with her family in 1983. They faced immediate danger and violence. Since then, she has been living in the Meheba refugee settlement in Zambia, where she is raising three children and, together with her six-member family, striving to build a better life.
She tried several small businesses, but all of them ended in failure. Nevertheless, she did not give up. She opened her own restaurant, where she cooks traditional dishes for the local community, such as Nshima – a maize porridge popular across Zambia. "I enjoy running a business, but cooking is not one of my hobbies. It is a way for me to support my family," Jollie explains.
Jollie did not give up despite the obstacles
Jollie's business was severely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, she applied for a financial grant from Caritas Czech Republic. Luck was on her side, and she became one of 40 selected recipients who received this support. Thanks to the grant, Jollie was able to purchase equipment for her restaurant. "I am very grateful to Caritas Czech Republic for their help. Before that, I did not even have enough chairs for my customers," Jollie recalls.
Her successful business is still challenged by a low number of customers. "There are many other restaurants nearby, and the competition is huge. On average, I serve six people a day, but sometimes no one comes at all," Jollie explains. Nevertheless, she is thinking about the future – she would like to expand her restaurant and start farming to secure an additional source of livelihood for herself and her family.
Caritas Czech Republic in Zambia
In Zambia, we help people who have fled difficult conditions to stand on their own feet. We provide vocational training, financial support, and encourage refugees to become self-sufficient. Thanks to this assistance, many refugees have been able to build their own businesses. Just like Banza, who, with the support of Caritas Czech Republic, opened her own hair salon. We also help young refugees pursue university studies through the DAFI scholarship programme.
We are able to support refugees in Zambia thanks to the financial assistance of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. Our work is also made possible by the generosity of donors who contribute to helping those in need.
