#9. Its a girl thing.

Hello all!!

 Today I'm going to talk about SSEKO, a social enterprise which is based in Uganda.

I found them a couple of months back while doing a research on some social enterprise ideas. This company really stuck in my head for a couple of reasons:

#1. They make really BEAUTIFUL products.

SSEKO started out making high-quality leather sandals and has since broaden their range of products to bags, clutches and some interesting ethnic-inspired sandal accessories.

#2. SSEKO focuses on empowering women-an issue that is close to my heart

#3. The SSEKO business model shows very clearly how they have identified a gap and filled it.

One of its mission is to

> Provide employment for female students.

SSEKO recognised that many female high school graduates could not go to university due to the lack of funds. And as Uganda is a male-dominated country, the women suffer from the lack of job opportunities. Therefore, during the 9 month period where by high school graduates wait to enrol into university, SSEKO employs these girls in so, giving them a chance to earn money to supplement their university education.

SSEKO not only provides employment, it also creates a savings plan for these girls. Every month, 50% of their salary goes to a saving account which they cannot touch, ensuring that the money remains solely for their studies. By doing so, they remove the pressure from the families, demanding that these girls give their entire salary to the household.

At the end of the 9 months stint, SSEKO would give each girl a scholarship amount which matches 100% of their savings.

{Wouldn't it be nice if there was such social enterprises in Singapore? :B}

>Provide employment opportunities for Ugandan women

As job opportunities are scarce, SSEKO seeks to employ Ugandan women from all walks of life.

SSEKO's upper management team comprises of female university graduates.

SSEKO also works with local NGOs to employ women who have been rescued from the sex-slave industry, giving them dignified jobs and a decent salary.

{As you can see, SSEKO choses to hire locals and work with locals instead of foreigners ^^b)

> Advocates fair trade

SSEKO does not believe in lowering the price of their products to appeal to the mass market, instead, SSEKO would like challenge consumers to make responsible purchases. In doing so, customers will think of the people, efforts and stories that goes into creating the products that they buy.

{Like child-labourers who work on cocoa plantations, do we feel better feigning ignorance to their plights?}

I felt that SSEKO was a very thought out idea and it is essential for budding social entrepreneurs. Many at times social enterprises fail to work because the loop is not closed and that presents the possibility of big problems to occur. 

Actually, it would be a dream for me to be able to intern there, just to be with the ladies and in the system to really understand how it works. The founder Liz is an extremely down-to-earth and open person, I am deeply moved by her story and i hope that some day, I would have the courage and opportunity to venture out of my comfort zone and make changes in areas that I want to.

References:

All pictures from : https://www.facebook.com/ssekodesigns

(do like their page and spread their good work!)