Something Fishy Going On

Found in the October 2025 Newsletter

There was something a little fishyabout George’s business----evident in the smell coming from the market when we pulled up.

You see-- George is in the Fishery Business- specializing in the Sato fish. And his business recently grew thanks to a partnership with Wesley College. 

George participated in Wesley College's Inua program- an entrepreneurship program for small business leaders.

Inua means  “to raise up” in Swahili and was possible because of the teamwork from several entities.

Through Kingdom Mission Fund out of Arkansas and support from Moody Memorial UMC-- Wesley College trained 30 business leaders- 17 of them receiving small business loans.

A year later- George’s business is thriving. Learning the basic ins and outs of business was helpful--but it was the guidance he received about how to be innovative that did the most good.

Things started to shift with something as simple as providing free packaging. This simple investment increased his first time customers. The quality of his fish kept them coming back.

An even greater tool for growth?! His cell phone!

Wesley College taught him marketing skills using WhatsApp messaging and social media to sell all over Tanzania rather than relying on people to just walk into the market.

In the last year his daily profit has gone from $75 a day to $125 a day thanks to processes and ideas that Inua guided him through and helped facilitate with a $700 business loan.

George’s goal is to be able to move towards wholesale markets like hotels and restaurants. He first has to be able to save up enough to purchase a month’s worth of inventory (wholesale customers only pay once a month). He is slowly building and protecting his business capital--another lesson he learned at Wesley College.

An increase in income has helped him move from a day to day existence to planning well in advance for his future and the future of his family. And as a leader in his market co-op he has already started sharing the lessons he has learned, being the ripple of change for others.

Wesley College is working to form leaders for the community, knowing that not all education takes place in the classroom.

-Eric Soard

Executive Director

Wesley College Foundation