Abstract:
Mama Lishe makes one of the largest sources of employment for women in the informal
sector. Like other women, they contribute significantly to the capacity of the male members
of their households to function effectively in the labour force. Women undertake Mama
Lishe activities so as to supplement household income to meet family needs, the income
generated from women income generated activities in most cases is small, but it plays a
significant role in buying clothes for babies and children, paying school fees and health
care. This study was conducted to determine the contribution of Mama Lishe’s income to
household poverty alleviation. Specifically, the study identified the nature of Mama Lishe
activities in Morogoro Municipality, assessed the income generated from these activities
and identified factors limiting these activities. The study was conducted in Morogoro
Municipality; about 15 places where Mama Lishe carry their activities were selected. From
each area six women were selected randomly (simple random sampling) for the study and
hence 90 women were interviewed. Also more detailed information was obtained by
interviewing selected key informants such as the Municipal Economist, Health Officer, Tax
Officer, Trade Officers, Town Planners and Ward Executive Officers. Data were collected
using structured questionnaire, Focused Group Discussions and by reviewing secondary
data from several sources. Descriptive and multiple response statistics such as mean,
frequencies and percentages were used. Qualitative data from Mama Lishe and key
informants were summarized and reported. The findings indicate that 57.8% of respondents
contributed between 3 000 – 4 000 Tshs and food from their business per day to the
household, 22.2% of respondents contributed between 5 000 – 6 000 Tshs and food per
day, 15.6% of respondents contributed between 1 000 – 2 000 Tshs and food per day, 1.1%
of respondents contributed between 7 000 – 8 000 Tshs and food per day and 3.3% of
respondents contributed food only from their business to the household. It was noted that
Mama Lishe business has an important contribution to the household; the findings fromiii
study shows the generated income from these business helps the household to buy and pay
for their different needs such as food, clothes, school fees and other needs. Moreover the
factors that hinder the performance of Mama Lishe businesses are lack of enough capital,
business record keeping, lack of entrepreneurship skills and lack of business license. The
study recommended improvement in the capacity of the women to run business by training
Mama Lishe on the financial management, quality of the services they provide and
business opportunity. Government should encourage Non-Governmental Organizations and
micro-finance institutions to provide capital to these women with low interest rate.
