On the 6th day of intercultural field work the group researching female
entrepreneurship peaked in the middle of Nakasero market in downtown Kampala.
Before entering the market, we had worked out a pretty structured plan
of how to conduct the focus group. However, it did not take much more than one
and a half minute after entering the market to realize that the plan we came
with was too optimistic and impossible to implement at the market where a woman
can hardly leave her business. Plan B was born on the spot between vegetable
and fruit stalls. The four of us adjusted within seconds and to our surprise we
immediately had a focus group of 6 women surrounding us. The cocktail of two
eager MUBS students controlling the situation and the rare sight of two white
CBS students proved fruitful.
The women welcomed this rather unusual interaction and the air was
suddenly full of curiosity and excitement from everyone involved.
The women happily shared their stories and points of view. From the
discussion we gained insights into the many responsibilities these market women
carry, the immense difficulties of accessing sufficient capital and not to
forget the importance of witch craft on business success.
By using ground nuts, the women rated the importance of the pressing
barriers to business growth. Not only did this method engage the women
actively, it also helped us to understand how the women prioritize the
challenges they are facing.
Towards the end of the focus group discussion, we introduced the women
to disposable cameras. We briefed them in basic photography and encouraged them
to take pictures of situations that symbolize the challenges they are dealing
with in business and private life. We were quite surprised ourselves that we
succeeded in getting the cameras back today. Now, we cannot wait to see the
results of this participatory experiment…
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