social business for young women in Africa
by The Afrika way | November 18, 2010 at 11:27 AM
I have this burning urge to empower young women (as always) using the "newish" concept of social business as explained by prof. Mohammad Yunus, and I have a few ideas that are giving me sleepless nights. However, I am still working on my confidence and knowledge.
Has anyone applied this concept in their communities? Please share your experiences. How have you empowered an individual or community by setting up a social business? What were/are your challenges? I am in the process of collecting information, and so far I think it is a brilliant way of empowering communities/groups without encouraging dependency. Plus, it enables a sense of ownership, and it’s sustainable.
Your help and mentorship will be greatly appreciated.
Comments
Singing the Same Tune
I'd like to jump on the bandwagon on this one. I, too, have been doing informal research on community development through enterprise. I would love the opportunity to learn from women who have carried out successful models in their communities.
One idea I'm currently working on is a social entrepreneurship competition for youth in my community. Participants are being asked to submit a proposal for a start-up business that will positively affect their community. The winning proposals will receive a loan to get the business started and will receive mentorship as they start out the new business.
Village Ventures
This is my newborn social enterprise aimed at creating an incubator for businesses for women we serve in Project Africa and others from the community. The incubator is a house of businesses or a Women's business centre. We will house start up businesses by women, mentor them by giving technical support, training, seed capital and networking beore they can be let free to stand on their own
i would be glad to share more with you my sister. May be we can meet in Nairobi and will walk with you through your thoughts. inbox me for details of meeting
MamaAfrica
Great minds?
Sorry not much in terms of solutions from me at the moment but I am also in the process of brainstorming ideas.I've read a couple of books on Social enterprise but I have so many ideas swimming around in my mind. I have to streamline my ideas. I've thought about activities such as sewing and also read about projects that have worked in other parts of Africa. I'm hoping to start something up in Zambia whilst taking advantage of the fact that I can raise money from here in the UK.
I love your ideas MamaAfrica. How did you go about starting it all up? I like the idea of business skills for women but I am also passionate about girls education and would like to include that in some way.
Mwanabibi
Young Women Empowerement
Hi Africaka Way
Thanks, You have a great idea. I am a Kenyan, Girls in our Slums around my community suffer a lot.
Due to lack of School Fees, they drop-out after Primary Education. So, they become idlers, and due to poverty they give birth at a very early stage. S
I wish a Well-Wisher outside there we can join hands (forces) and either give them various Trainings i.e Sewing, knitting etc.
Now, that you are in Kenya, how do we meet to discuss on that, If you don't mind i would like to invite you we plan.
GOD Bless you
Teresia
Volunteer, Community Social Worker
TERESA KAGECHA i would like to use the new password and email to participate in the WORLDPULSE VIEWS - COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION MOBILISING