EMPOWER ENTREPRENEURS IN UNDER-SERVED COMMUNITIES

Hi everyone,

Thank you so much for being a donor to our crowdfunding campaign.  Check out some updates from the last few months:

Highlights from our entrepreneurs:

1. PurYSeth Honey has tripled their hives to 45, allowing them to cut production costs by 60%.  As well, their honey is now being used at two coffee shops in Nairobi!
2. WaterMark Springs is launching showers, giving people a clean, private space to wash.
3. Verics Hydroponics now has 14 small scale hydroponics farms across Kangemi and Kawangware.
4. Hidaya Diapers is now making baby bed and baby carriers.

Entrepreneur Forum:

We had our 4th Entrepreneur Forum this past week! Read about the four teams that pitched below:

Adhi Pads: Elizabeth witnessed many girls and young women in urban low income areas miss school and other important daily activities monthly because they could not afford sanitary towels. In response, she began experimenting with making reusable sanitary towels to address this issue. Her company Adhi, produces high quality reusable sanitary pads.

Spaik Acoustics: Simon creates furniture from recycled tyres such as chairs, tables, and footrests. He was inspired after he witnessed the 2007/ 2008 election violence, where people burned tires in protest. He decided to employ idle youth to make art out of these tires instead of burning them.

Habari Kibra: Michelle and Thomas' Habari Kibra is a platform that allows youth to engage their passion for journalism. The training first teaches youths wide range of skills, from writing to photography to TV/media production, so that they will be able to reach their ambitions in an ever challenging and diversifying the industry. Once graduated these youth either will be set-up with income producing journalism jobs or join the Habari Kibra team to sell content to local media hubs in Nairobi.

Ufanisi: Derick and Johnstone created a power back-up system to tackle the challenge of frequent power blackouts in Kibera and other low income areas, providing an affordable power alternative to low income earners. Power outages are especially detrimental to businesses in these areas that often have to shut down for hours or days at a time, one Ufanisi power backup can support operations at a restaurant for an entire day.

Youth Cohort

Our Youth Cohort (sponsored by Polish Aid) finalized a couple weeks ago!  This marks 90 entrepreneurs graduating from Somo from 8 cohorts. Stay tuned to hear which entrepreneurs receive investment!

Many thanks for your support,

Amelia and the Somo team

Links:

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DJ_hvAMq8tI&t=2s