Co- Author- Divya and Nahid Begum (Divya’s colleague)

Luqma is a cloud kitchen initiative launched by SAFA in 2019, a non-profit organization in Hyderabad, with a mission to empower women and provide them with equal opportunities. This social enterprise was established to employ women who lacked the financial standing to start their businesses but had the potential and willingness to work. Luqma is an Urdu word meaning Morsel. Luqma is the connoisseur of Authentic Hyderabadi cuisine and serves a home styled taste. They deliver both packed spices and cooked meals. In cooked meals, they provide gourmet services and also cater to food charity needs.

Luqma initially began as a pre-order food service provided by women who received culinary training and additional knowledge in Hyderabadi cuisine with recipes from traditional families of Hyderabad. As the business grew, it expanded its operations and now operates as an authentic Hyderabadi cloud kitchen in Noor Khan Bazaar, Darulshifa, preparing fresh food every day. The program not only provides employment opportunities for women but also helps them develop their culinary skills and business knowledge. Luqma is a testament to the impact that social enterprises can have on empowering women and supporting their socioeconomic growth.

A survey undertook in the Vattepally region of Hyderabad revealed that many women were employed as house help, earning meager wages of INR 1500-2000 per month, that means 20 US Dollar. A need analysis done by SAFA concluded that these women required skills to increase their income. To address this, SAFA proposed a culinary skills training program and established a community kitchen in the area. The 20-day training program, conducted by Chef Ashish Mandal, focused on teaching Hyderabadi cuisine and commercial kitchen etiquette to single women, including widowed, separated, and deserted women. About 40 women completed the training, and some started their businesses, such as school canteen contracts, Biryani orders, and dessert supplies to shops.

Qualification as the key to success

Initially, the kitchen was established in a government school canteen and received pre-orders. However, the women lacked the business knowledge required to run a social enterprise effectively. Today, the cloud kitchen now employs 12 women and operates from the LightHouse premises in Noor Khan Bazaar, Darulshifa, and Maulana Azad National Urdu University (MANUU), Hyderabad as an authentic Hyderabadi cloud kitchen that prepares fresh food every day, taking pre-orders. The program not only provided these women with a platform to improve their employability skills but also gave them a space to socialize with like-minded people.

The success of this program is evident in the number of women who have started their businesses and those employed by Luqma. The impact of this program extends beyond employment and economic growth, as it also fosters a sense of community and provides a safe space for women to connect and interact. The empowerment of women is a crucial aspect of socioeconomic development and initiatives like this highlight the potential for organizations to make a positive impact on the lives of women.

The stories from Luqma by SAFA have been truly inspiring and have provided me with a unique experience. Hearing about individuals like Razia, Fatima, Farheen, and Sana who have overcome significant obstacles and achieved success with the help of Luqma’s programs has been incredibly motivating. There is glimpse of the few stories of remarkable women working with Luqma are described below:

Razia

Razia, a single mother, faced significant challenges in supporting her family following the untimely demise of her husband. Seeking a solution, she discovered SAFA’s training program and eagerly enrolled. Under the guidance and support of SAFA’s knowledgeable staff, Razia developed valuable skills and gained newfound confidence in her abilities.

Subsequently, SAFA’s cloud kitchen, Luqma, offered Razia a promising opportunity to earn a living for herself and her family. Though initially hesitant to venture beyond the familiar confines of her domestic role, Razia now feels emboldened to travel independently, even in the late hours of the night. Her culinary expertise lies particularly in Hyderabadi cuisine, with specialties including Biryani and Gil e Firdaus. Biryani is a fragrant South Asian rice dish layered with marinated meat or vegetables, cooked with aromatic spices, while Gil-e-Firdaus is a Middle Eastern/South Asian dessert made from reduced milk, sugar, and assorted nuts for a creamy, aromatic treat. Though balancing her work and family obligations can prove challenging at times, Razia remains steadfast in her commitment to securing a brighter future for her loved ones.

Razia in her interview said, “Ghar se akele nikalna muskil tha aur aj adhi raat ko bhi kahin aa ja sakti hun, acha dikhta mujhe”- “It was difficult to leave the house alone and today even in the middle of the night I can go anywhere.”

Fatima

Fatima, a resident of Vattepally in Hyderabad, experienced significant positive changes in her life thanks to Luqma Social Enterprise. Before joining Luqma, Fatima struggled to make ends meet and often found it difficult to manage household expenses while living in a rental home. Moreover, societal pressures made her hesitant to step outside her home.

However, Luqma provided her with the opportunity to become self-sufficient and not rely on others. With a job at Luqma, Fatima’s financial situation is improved, allowing her to pay rent and daily expenses more conveniently. She is now able to provide for her children’s education and can choose what to wear and eat according to her preferences. Luqma’s impact on Fatima’s life has been significant, transforming her from a struggling individual to a self-sufficient, empowered member of her community.

Sana Begum

Sana Begum’s life was once dull and uneventful. After her husband passed away, she found herself crying and confined to her home. However, after enrolling in SAFA’s culinary training program, her life began to change.

Although the training initially had little impact, Nahid, the manager at Luqma, began calling Sana for larger orders. This helped Sana slowly come out of her shell and experience the joys of living an independent life. She enjoys her work and the ability to afford items such as a scooter and a mobile phone, all while providing for her children. Sana lives with her parents and brother and feels proud to contribute to their living expenses.

She initially did not like to cook but slowly she started liking to cook different dishes. Sana’s favorite dish to cook is Biryani, and she fondly remembers the times when Luqma was operating in Vattepally and the team would dance and enjoy themselves after working hours. Sana has made new friends at Luqma and enjoys hanging out with them outside of work as well. Overall, Luqma has helped Sana find a sense of purpose and enjoyment in her life that she previously thought was impossible.

Sana Said during her interview, “ Mujhe pakwaan bana pasand hi nhi tha, ab ghar pe bhi jab log kehte hain ki maze ka hai acha lagta hai”- “I did not like cooking, now even at home I cook and when people say that it is tasty, I like it.”

Anees Fatima

Anees Fatima shared her story of how she was able to resume her education after taking up a job at Luqma Kitchen. Having completed only her matriculation, she had a strong desire to continue her studies. Joining Luqma Kitchen presented her with the opportunity to do so. Currently, she is pursuing the 11th standard and studies during her free time after work. She is employed at Luqma Kitchen, which is located at the Maulana Azad National Urdu University (MANUU) in an area known as Gachibowli.

However, it wasn’t easy for Anees to convince her family to let her work at Gachibowli, which is located far from her home in Old City, Hyderabad. Despite the challenges, Anees managed to persuade her family due to their financial constraints and her eagerness to work. It was a tough decision, but one that has paid off in more ways than one. Anees’ story is a testament to the power of determination and hard work in achieving one’s goals, despite facing obstacles along the way.

Nahid

Nahid, the manager of Luqma, has seen a significant impact on her life since joining the organization. She has grown up with Luqma and now manages all of the operations for SAFA.

Despite coming from a family that runs restaurants, Nahid had little knowledge of how to cook and manage the cuisine. However, her job at Luqma has given her the experience to live her dream of opening her restaurant one day. Initially, Nahid faced challenges as the previous manager of Luqma was male, making it difficult to convince staff of her capabilities. However, she persevered and formed strong bonds with her team.

One of the challenges Nahid faced was convincing women chefs to come out of their homes at odd hours for orders. Luqma operates on a pre-order basis, meaning that they prepare fresh food rather than stock items. This meant that preparation for a morning order at 10 am would start at 5 am. After a lot of capacity-building and trust-building, women chefs began to come out of their houses at odd hours, even if it meant coming to cook at 2 am to dispatch a morning order.

Currently, the biggest challenge facing Luqma is ensuring the continuity of daily orders. Nevertheless, Nahid’s experience at Luqma enabled her to develop a passion for the culinary arts and gave her the skills to pursue her dream of owning a restaurant.

The stories from Luqma have not only inspired me but have also demonstrated the importance of organizations like Luqma in empowering individuals and building stronger, more resilient communities. The opportunity to learn about the impact that Luqma is making in the lives of individuals in the community has been eye-opening and has given me a newfound appreciation for the power of social enterprise. The stories of individuals who have been able to secure employment, improve their education, and even start their businesses with the support of SAFA’s Culinary Skill program have been truly heartwarming.