Crunchy Caterpillars Launch a Successful Biz

Eugenia & Virginie of Restaurant de Mama

Life happens outside in the Congo. Long visits with neighbours, friends and family combined with peanuts, bananas and maybe even a Coca-cola are seen under many a tree throughout the country.

Years ago before Five and Two came to be, our Canadian and Congolese founders were testing new principles of ‘Asset-Based Community-Driven’ development.  Two of the first recipients of this training were a pair of spunky women named Eugenia and Virginie.  In the picture above, you can sense two lives full of vibrant personality.

Eugenia and Virginie realized they had three key things going for themselves. They were great cooks, had connections to the local hospital and whole lot of gumption, so they launched a humble restaurant under a large tree on the grounds of a medical facility.  Omelettes, hot chai, quick service and warm personalities got their business off the ground and they have been growing strong for nine years since.

Toss Mukwa, Director of  Five & Two Member Organization, MCAD, regularly coached Eugenia and Virgine with business skills along the way.  This gave them the encouragement needed to develop their business further.  Hospital clientele were lamenting the fact that after getting off work so late and driving a long way home, there was not enough time to make and eat dinner.  They urged the ladies to build their menu to include dinner options.  Ready to expand, Eugenia and Virgine added plantains, salted fish and even crunchy caterpillar snacks to their menu.

Their crunchy caterpillars ended up being the game-changer. When a woman from the World Health Organization tried and fell in love with this delectable treat, she proposed the idea of the ladies catering a small Health Committee meeting for approximately 10-15 people.  Without hesitation Eugenia accepted, not knowing how they would accomplish this.  Under thier tree, they prepared the meal and coordinated a delivery via taxi to the meeting.  One of the attendees, thoroughly impressed with her meal, asked how long the ladies had been catering?  “This is our first time!” replied Eugenia, beaming from the compliment. 

A delicious catering spread

This kick-started a successful catering business where Eugenia and Virginie deliver meals via taxi across the city to events sometimes numbering 200 people or more.  In 2014, they moved their “Under the Tree” restaurant into a building on the site of the hospital which is now aptly named Restaurant de Mama.  This space also doubles as their catering kitchen.

MCAD’s continued coaching, an intuitive  understanding of the market, and basic financial skills have allowed them to effectively manage their income and plan for growth.  Over the last few years, they have expanded their restaurant building and have hired an accountant. Next steps include buying their own vehicle to deliver their food and starting a second restaurant in town.

And to think, it all started with two determined women under a Congolese tree.

Under the tree where it all started