Hello!
I'm going to share on another smashing most awesome social enterprise called...
Like Sseko, 31 bits sells lovely products for women, but the catch is they use recycled materials.
All their products have beautiful beads made from recycled paper and its really amazing how well made the products are (even though it sounds like a simple craft project.)
31 bits also seek to empower women, score!! More than a third of their beneficiaries are women stricken with AIDS.
31 Bits' mission is to provide beneficiaries access to the international market so that they are able to earn income, providing food and education for their families. Thus, the skills these Ugandan women owned can be now be matched to the appropriate market.
Like all good programmes, they include literacy education, financial and vocational training providing holistic care, and strong support systems.
31 bits is actually a platform for women to equip themselves with adequate skills, knowledge and finances till they are able to start up businesses in their communities. Upon graduation, the women should be able to
1. Converse in basic English
2. Enough skills to manage their personal bank account
3. Understand AIDS & health issues better
4.Start their own businesses successfully
2. Enough skills to manage their personal bank account
3. Understand AIDS & health issues better
4.Start their own businesses successfully
Why I really like 31 Bits:
1. Stellar, wholesome programmes.
Doesn't only take care of the 'technical' matters but they care about their emotional wellbeing as well. Equally important in my opinion because women are emotional creatures ;-)
Doesn't only take care of the 'technical' matters but they care about their emotional wellbeing as well. Equally important in my opinion because women are emotional creatures ;-)
2. Involves not only people but the planet as well.
The recycled material used for the beads are actually old movie & advertisement posters. What a innovative way of reusing paper that would most probably be dumped.
The recycled material used for the beads are actually old movie & advertisement posters. What a innovative way of reusing paper that would most probably be dumped.
3. Acts as a 'platform' // 'catalyst'
31 Bits doesn't really want their beneficiaries to stay with them forever, they hope the ladies would be able to start their own ventures.
31 Bits doesn't really want their beneficiaries to stay with them forever, they hope the ladies would be able to start their own ventures.
4. Really well made and sellable products
SO PRETTY *.*
5. Supports local businesses
Materials are all sourced locally, I guess its the most practical thing to do? But they could have always imported their materials right!
Materials are all sourced locally, I guess its the most practical thing to do? But they could have always imported their materials right!
6. Engages business mentors for each beneficiaries
Serious on developing each individual to their fullest potential. I think 31 Bits is the first SE I've come across that devotes so much attention to each lady.
Serious on developing each individual to their fullest potential. I think 31 Bits is the first SE I've come across that devotes so much attention to each lady.
7. Hires locals!!!
Their program managers and finance officers are all locals, most women. I think that its really important to do so as locals understand the local cultures the best.
Their program managers and finance officers are all locals, most women. I think that its really important to do so as locals understand the local cultures the best.
Watch this video on how 31 Bits started and what they do, SO INSPIRING!!
Ahh sharing about 31 Bits makes me inspired all over again to be part of something like this, to be part of change and to step up and help the communities in need 93 million miles away~
KEY TAKEAWAY:
"Businesses that are both conscious of the creators and the consumers"
Something important to keep at the back of our minds ya!
:-)
"Businesses that are both conscious of the creators and the consumers"
Something important to keep at the back of our minds ya!
:-)
References:
http://31bits.com/
https://www.facebook.com/31bits
https://www.facebook.com/31bits
Hey KAT it's me again n.n Wow the video is inspiring and the women are all so cute! Gotta love their hairs (the one with middle parting reminds me of myself lol). That aside, this is indeed a good read. A similar concept to this would be the "Mother and Child Project" by Simei Care. I got a chance to visit them last year and their products, although made from recycled papers, are high quality.
ReplyDeleteOne thing from the video that interests me was the environment that they are working. It's so chillax and it looks more like a leisure activity than a job!!(:
-Atiqah J
Hi Grace!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing with us on this wonderful social enterprise!
I like the way how the social enterprise not only empower the women but also protects the environment (our poor fragile earth). Double aid rocks! In addition, by equipping the ladies with relevant skills, knowledge and finances to set up their own businesses is definitely the way to go :) As the beneficiaries would not be too dependent on the social enterprise and could also past the skills to their daughters and be successful in their own ventures! I also like the fact that they put in a lot of effort on each and every beneficiaries that they have by appointing a business mentor for each lady. This is because the mentor can be more devoted and focus on their beneficiaries, in turn this can benefit the lady as 101% attention are on them. ^^
Cheers!