AWOME Returns to Selebi-Phikwe for Post-Training Support and Mentorship of Women Entrepreneurs

AWOME Returns to Selebi-Phikwe for Post-Training Support and Mentorship of Women Entrepreneurs. The Accelerating Women-Owned Micro-Enterprises (AWOME) Programme has returned to Selebi-Phikwe to conduct post-training follow-up visits with women entrepreneurs who participated in its January 2025 capacity-building workshop.

This phase of the programme focuses on evaluating the application of business knowledge and skills acquired during the training, while providing coaching and mentorship to reinforce growth and resilience among micro-enterprises.

During the visit, five participants were assessed, with three being identified as promising success stories. Among them is Dorcus Selebogo, the founder of STARCAS GLOW CO, a locally owned business that manufactures scented candles, diffusers, bath bombs, and body mists. Selebogo reported increased sales following the training and credited the AWOME Programme for equipping her with the tools to better position and manage her business.

Despite the positive trajectory, she highlighted ongoing challenges with stock availability due to the high cost of importing raw materials from South Africa, including transportation fees. Nonetheless, Selebogo remains hopeful and expressed interest in securing funding to expand her operations and take her products to broader markets—both locally and internationally.

The AWOME Programme, implemented in partnership with De Beers and the Ministry of Youth, Gender, Sport and Culture (MYGA), continues to provide targeted support for women entrepreneurs across Botswana. The follow-up visit reinforces its long-term approach to sustainable entrepreneurship by combining training with coaching, mentorship, and monitoring.

The AWOME team will continue its tour throughout the week, visiting additional participants and offering support to strengthen their business growth.