Single Mom’s GoFundMe Campaign Raises Money for her Laundry Business.

A South Sudanese single mother of two raises enough money in a GoFundMe campaign to buy a washer and dryer for her laundry business after her story was published on The Insider.

A South Sudanese single mother of two whose struggle was highlighted on The Insider last month says she has met her goal of raising $650 dollars to boost her Juba laundry business. 

Sarah Naumba started a GoFundMe campaign to raise money for buying a washing machine and dryer to meet the demands of her growing business in the capital so she no longer had to wash clothes by hand.

Naumba’s online campaign raised $430 along with $350 dollars from local residents, plus another 15,000 South Sudanese pounds, the equivalent of 25 dollars.

Gizam Moses, an activist with the Youth Solidarity Group in Eastern Equatoria state’s Kapoeta County, said as soon as the group read Naumba’s story on The Insider website, it formed a committee to collect local donations.

“She’s a youth who’s trying to do something for herself to become economically independent and that’s the only thing that can pull the youth out of poverty and unemployment,”Moses told The Insider.

Naumba, 28, said she’s grateful for Youth Solidarity Group’s donations.

“They came to deliver the contribution that was given by different people from Maridi, Yambio, Malakal Wau and those in Juba. I was so overwhelmed by their love and support and I think it’s all because of the story which went on air on VOA and The Insider website,” said Naumba.

Moses directs Humanity and Community Empowerment Organization, a group that helped 200 young South Sudanese nationwide to become economically independent.  He called on young South Sudanese men and women to emulate Naumba’s ambition and start their own businesses.

“The wealth of this country is hidden in entrepreneurship, that’s why despite the fact that we have war, dozens of youths from our neighboring countries have flooded the cities and towns of this country and run small business initiatives,” Moses told The Insider.

Since entrepreneurs run their business, “they earn more money than they would in the employment sector,” said Moses.

He noted that Naumbi worked at “one of the best hotels” in Juba but was not paid much. “By doing her own laundry business, I think she’s a happy lady today,” said Moses.

Naumba said she plans to purchase a washer and dryer within days so she can provide same-day service to her clients.