Ghanaian-born Lithuanian-based CEO of Maxdorc Kitchen, Dorcas, Shares Her Struggles and Triumphs
Dorcas, a Ghanaian entrepreneur based in Vilnius Lithuania and the CEO of Maxdorc Kitchen, has opened up about her challenging upbringing and journey to success. In an interview with DJ Nyaami on SVTV Africa’s Daily Hustle Worldwide Show, she shared her inspiring story.
Currently residing in Vilnius, the capital of Lithuania, Dorcas has lived there for a few years. She attended the University of Ghana, Legon, where she studied social work and graduated in 2020. Before moving abroad, she lived in areas such as Spintex and East Legon in Accra. She previously worked as a mobile money agent in Spintex and completed her secondary education in 2015.
Dorcas spent part of her early life in the Volta Region before moving to Accra in 2017 to pursue her education and career. She revealed that she had never met her father, who was from Kpando, and was raised by her mother, who is from Akuapem. Due to financial struggles, she lived with various relatives. She recounted how she did not see her mother for 10 years and only reconnected after her mother heard about her whereabouts through someone in the market.
Growing up, she faced discrimination due to her height, as society often perceived short people as mere comic relief rather than individuals with potential. Determined to change this stereotype, she focused on education, proving that intelligence and skill are not determined by stature.
Despite not being considered brilliant in her early years, she became an excellent student through hard work. She took it upon herself to apply for university, bought her admission forms, and was guided by a tutor who recognized her love for geography and suggested she study social work.
During her university years, Dorcas faced extreme hardships. She lived in kiosks and even slept at a construction site while completing her national service. Despite these challenges, she remained determined to succeed.
Her perseverance paid off when she secured a scholarship to study in Sweden for one semester as part of a 10-year partnership program with her school. She stayed in Sweden for six months, during which the program covered her expenses, including airfare and food.
Following her national service in 2020, she heard about another scholarship opportunity but was initially denied due to her CGPA. However, when applications reopened, she reapplied and was accepted into a fully funded program. This allowed her to travel to multiple countries, including Lithuania, Latvia, Slovakia, and Portugal, before finally settling in Lithuania.
While in Lithuania, Dorcas started cooking for people, and with the encouragement of an Ewe friend, she turned it into a business. A kind tutor who learned about her struggles at the construction site even helped build a house for her.
She found a sense of belonging within her church community and was drawn to Lithuania because of the affordable cost of living—where as little as €50 could sustain a person for a month. Seeing that no Ghanaian had opened a restaurant there, she took the bold step of establishing Maxdorc Kitchen, with support from her pastor, who had lived in Ukraine for 18 years.
Her restaurant, though small, accommodates eight customers at a time and specializes in Ghanaian, Nigerian, and Cameroonian cuisine. She also offers delivery services. The business, which started just last Monday, has been growing steadily. She sources her ingredients from a supplier called Baa Brag, though taxes deduct about 40% of her earnings.
Dorcas encourages Ghanaians seeking opportunities abroad to learn the local language, as it significantly improves their chances of employment. She notes that having a local certificate increases one’s job prospects more than having a Ghanaian certificate.
She remains grateful for the people who supported her throughout her journey, especially those who saw potential in her and encouraged her to pursue education. Despite the hardships, she believes that coming this far is solely by the grace of God.
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