Our Story
Founded in 2023, Milk & Honey started off with a goal to rent a small kitchen space somewhere in Jos, Nigeria. This space would be a place for women to explore their creative and entrepreneurial capabilities through artisan baking. God surprised us by bringing several incredible partners alongside us, allowing us to build a beautiful 2-story bakery from the ground-up.
Our faith-based baking school reaches women in different stages of life with different struggles; widows, single mothers, and orphans are often especially vulnerable. In addition to intense economic challenges, these women often face social stigmas and traditions that can make survival and wellbeing for them and their children difficult. In Nigeria, it is estimated that 40% of widows are dispossessed by their in-laws. Apart from widows, it is also nearly impossible for women who have been abandoned to seek financial support, and they are often left to fend for themselves and their children. Jos currently faces 40% unemployment. That’s where we wanted to step in, and ask others to join us.
Besides the actual baking, discipleship, community, and business skills are an integral part of M&H. Though our goal is to increase economic opportunity, we believe in the healing power of creative arts and an environment centered on Christ’s love. Our number one priority is to nurture, support, and build relationships with the women we work with.
Our Shop
While we rely on partners to come alongside us to sponsor the training of our bakers, as well as assist in meeting their urgent needs, Milk & Honey also operates as a small-batch retail bakery. This allows us to make up for the bulk of our training costs, which is materials.
Our products are currently available locally in Jos, though we hope to expand into delivery to more developed cities such as Abuja. We have a wide range of baked goods that pull influence from various cuisines- American, Nigerian, French, Chinese…you could say in a way, we bring the world to Jos through our baking!
We enjoy figuring out new delicious ways to use Nigerian ingredients. We make Lemon Hibiscus Rolls with locally grown hibiscus (known as “zobo”)- which gives the buns a radiant purple hue. We buy wheat berries in the market and freshly grind them into flour for our Whole Wheat Bread. While the season is short, Jos is home to some of the world’s best mangoes- which we turn into jam to fill Brioche Doughnuts or use in our Upside-Down Cake. While we may not be able to go to the store and buy a bag of dried coconut for baking, we can go to the market and get 30 husked coconuts to grate and toast in our kitchen- making the best Coconut Buns and Lamingtons.
While running a bakery in Nigeria has its significant challenges, we’ve come to enjoy them. It pushes us to be more creative and problem-solve at every turn, figuring out how to provide people with high-quality pastries with the limited resources we have.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Nigeria safe?
Well, the short answer is no. While there are many good things about the country, statistically Nigeria experiences a high level of crime such as kidnapping and terrorism- issues that have had a direct effect on many of the women that cross our path. However, God instructs us to love one another, and to care for widows and orphans, regardless of any discomfort it may cause us. He has also been faithful and merciful to us, and we trust in Him regardless of the anxieties we may face.
How many students do you have?
Currently, we train 4 students at a time. This allows us to invest fully in each of the women, giving them the attention and resources needed to be adequately trained.
I have some baking supplies that I don’t use. Can I donate?
While we are so grateful for people who offer us these items, unfortunately the shipping costs and risks associated prevent us from accepting. However, please visit our Supply Partner page if you are interested in supplying us with specific items that we need.
How successful are the women who graduate from the program?
Like all schools, there is only so much control we have when it comes to what students do with the knowledge and resources they’ve been given. We do our best to make sure they are fully equipped with what they need to increase their income. Given that the economic situation in Nigeria is dire, we also encourage our graduates to continue exploring other skills and not limit themselves to baking. Many of the women we work with dabble in different trades, as it is difficult to make ends meet with just one. They may sell street food or grains, farm, babysit or clean, or sew, to name a few.
How much does it cost for one student to go through your program?
This figure is challenging to nail down because the exchange rate in Nigeria fluctuates so rapidly. For context: the rate has fluctuated between 600 naira per dollar to 1900 naira per dollar in the past year. However, we make up for many training costs by selling our products. Our biggest expenses are staff salaries, which cost about $400 a month total, and the start-ups for our students, which cost about $500 per student.