Research

Ugandan Women Tilling the Land
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Has Poverty a Feminine Face? Exploring the Impact of Labour Law on Ugandan Women

The following is an abstract from the MSc Dissertation of University of Strathclyde LLM student, Vera Hayibor, following her Challenges Worldwide field research placement in Uganda during Summer 2017, exploring the impact of Labour Laws on the Economic Rights of Ugandan Women. 

This research focuses on the elimination of extreme poverty as the goal No 1 of the Sustainable Development Goals. It proposes that the economic rights of women are made the solution. UN member countries have set into action plans and strategies to achieve the SDG (Sustainable Development Goals) , which is to serve as a blue print for Economic development. However, the achievement of these goals is possibly more challenging for Least Developed Countries including Uganda whose majority population (women) are poverty stricken because of numerous factors.

This research also seeks to examine the impact of labour law as well as economic and socio-cultural factors on the economic rights of Ugandan women and women in general. In particular, how that can hinder their roles in achieving SDG1 by 2030.

The author carried out her research in Uganda working with various women and labour related organisations. As a result, the 3-month field research showed that the effect of inappropriate legislation and policies, ineffective implementation mechanisms and archaic cultures have a significant effect on the economic rights of women in Uganda. Meanwhile the influence of international laws such as Labour Law, is minimal on the impact on the economic growth of the average woman in Uganda. Comparing Uganda with two other countries (Kenya & Ghana) for a larger perspective showed that, the challenge is not only limited to least developed countries but developing countries also face similar obstacles.

Read the full dissertation here: University of Strathclyde: Has Poverty a Feminine Face? An Analysis of the Impact of Labour Laws on the Economic Rights of Ugandan Women – Vera Hayibor, LLM International Law and Sustainable Development.

If you would like to find out more about conducting field research for your dissertation through Challenges Worldwide, please visit our Research Placements page.

Achieving Sustaianble Development through Shea Trade (1)
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Achieving Sustainable Development Through Shea Trade

This is an abstract from a field research placement that saw an LLM student from the University of Strathclyde work with Challenges Worldwide during Summer 2016 to conduct field research for their MSc dissertation. 

With a revived momentum for economic growth and sustainability, Africa needs identified avenues to promote sustainable economic growth congruent with environmental and social benefits. The increasing growth of the shea industry and its importance to people in northern Ghana and Uganda makes it an industry worth exploring to ascertain its capacity to promote economic growth, environmental protection and social well-being i.e. sustainable development. This research therefore, sought to explore the role of the Shea industry towards sustainable development and poverty alleviation in Uganda and Ghana. The findings showed that, the shea industry provides economic opportunities in jobs, income, product output and market. Market access opportunities through trade agreements like EPA and AGOA also helps ease entrance to the foreign confectionary and cosmetics industries whose demand is the current backbone of the shea industry resulting in the industry’s growth. Also, environmental benefits were found in the shea industry by way of shea tree conservation, ecosystem benefits, reduction in GHG emissions and from environmental vulnerabilities. Additionally, social benefits by way of women empowerment, capacity building and community transformation were also found. However, challenges like legal restrictions curbing the quantity of shea used in chocolate products, standardisation, threats to shea trees, limited protection laws for shea trees and most especially disconnection of shea nut pickers from evenly benefiting from the industry acts as trade barriers which curbs the industry’s development and affects its economic, social and environmental opportunities. Nonetheless, these challenges were seen as insufficient to inherently offset or take away the industry’s capability to facilitate Sustainable Development. Furthermore, the industry’s capacity to help alleviate poverty through its economic, environmental and social opportunities as well as provide access and participation of the poor living in Northern Uganda and Ghana respectively in viable economic endeavours were seen to be significant. Consequently, making the shea industry a key avenue towards the achievement of SDGs 1 and aspiration 1 of Africa Agenda 2063, and aspiration 6 and several SDG targets is something to be greatly considered by government, NGOs and businesses.

Read the full dissertation: University of Strathclyde: Achieving Sustainable Development Through Shea Trade by Edna Ayeley Okine, LLM International Law and Sustainable Development

If you are interested in conducting field research for your dissertation through Challenges Worldwide, visit our Research Placements page 

 

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International Research Analyst (Ghana or Rwanda) – Role Description 

Information for 2017/18 Students about international research analyst opportunities

Challenges Worldwide is an international development NGO focussed on building the capacity of small- to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in emerging markets. We have supported over 2000 SMEs across 40 countries, seeking to generate income, sustainable economic growth and impact. 

Challenges Worldwide is offering you the opportunity, as a talented and self-motivated student, to undertake a meaningful research project on enterprises and markets in emerging economies – either as part of a postgraduate dissertation or as a standalone research project. The programme is structured around a professional qualification with the Chartered Management Institute (CMI).  

 As a successful applicant, you will work in a vibrant, quickly-growing organisation with a fast-paced and collaborative culture that puts impact first. Located in the heart of Edinburgh, Challenges’ global HQ is an exciting hub of activity related to emerging markets, business growth and development.  

 The content of the research undertaken will be based on your interests. If the project is to contribute towards a dissertation – for example, to enable you to gather primary data as part of your research – you will largely decide the direction of the placement. If you are unsure of their research interests or would prefer to contribute towards Challenges’ work growing SMEs in developing contexts, we would provide the research brief for you.  

 The overseas placement can be completed in either Ghana or Rwanda. It can be combined with our student UK Research Analysts programme, to a combined total of 9-20 weeks, or can be a standalone project.  

 The programme is structured by a professional qualification with the Chartered Management Institute (CMI). Our Level 5 qualifications in Professional Consulting will give you the tools to complete your work with us to a professional standard – whilst giving you a qualification that is well recognised and regarded by employers.  

 Benefits 

  • International research that will have a tangible development impact and/or contribute towards a postgraduate dissertation 
  • Experience working abroad with an international organisation  
  • Complete flexibility around your study/work schedule 
  • Obtain a professional qualification from the Chartered Management Institute at a significant discount 

 Programme Structure

The programme will be between 6 and 10 weeks, according to your availability and research requirements. You’ll work with 3-4 SMEs in Ghana or Rwanda that are directly relevant to the research needs. For the cost of a qualification and a contribution towards staff time, you will receive: 

  • Learning content and support in completing a globally-recognised professional qualification  
  • Support from Challenges HQ  before, during and after your programme 
  • Contacts and meetings with the relevant partners on the ground 
  • Help constructing your research brief, with fortnightly reports to monitor your progress 

 To complement your research, you will have access to the learning material for a Level 5 qualification in Professional Consulting, accredited by the CMI. To professionalise your experience with Challenges, you can choose between either a Certificate (2 units) or Diploma (6 units). See challengesworldwide.com/learn for the most up-to-date prices for the programme. 

 Please note:  

  • The price does not include logistics of your travel. You are responsible for funding and arranging your flights, vaccines, insurance, transfers, accommodation, spending money, travel insurance etc.  
  • Challenges Worldwide holds no responsibility for your health and safety or insurance 
  • If completing the research placement as part of your dissertation, you will need to ensure it fulfils all of the institutional requirements of your particular department/university 

 Key Competencies required include: 

Essential:

  • Working towards a postgraduate degree (Masters or PhD) 
  • Previous experience of writing a dissertation 
  • Strong report writing and analysis skills  
  • Strong cross-cultural communication skills 
  • Ability to set and achieve goals independently 
  • Strong work ethic, reliability and professionalism 
  • Interest in international development and private sector growth 

Desired:  

  • Experience working internationally 
  • Defined area of interest to research (previous examples include: solar power, supply chain logistics) 

Pricing

Sub-Saharan Africa

Certificate

£860

Diploma

£1160
Apply

 

For more information: contact Taryn Cornell using the contact form below or phone 0131 564 1588

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UK Research Analyst – Role Description 

Information for 2017/18 Students about UK research analyst opportunities

Challenges Worldwide is an international development NGO focussed on building the capacity of small- to medium-sized enterprises in emerging markets. We have supported over 2000 SMEs across 40 countries, seeking to generate income, sustainable economic growth and impact. 

 Challenges Worldwide is offering you the opportunity, as a talented and self-motivated student, to undertake a meaningful research project on enterprises and markets in emerging economies.  

 As a successful applicant, you will work in a vibrant, quickly-growing organisation with a fast-paced and collaborative culture that puts impact first. Located in the heart of Edinburgh, Challenges’ global HQ is an exciting hub of activity related to emerging markets, business growth and development.  

 Our student Research Analysts are expected to work largely independently or in small groups, with a mixture of in-office and remote working. The programme is structured by a professional qualification with the Chartered Management Institute (CMI). Our Level 5 qualifications in Professional Consulting will give you the tools to complete your work with us to a professional standard – whilst giving you a qualification that is well recognised and regarded by employers.  Visit challengesworldwide.com/learn for more information about our training and qualifications

 Positions Available:

Business Opportunities Analyst 

Focussed on business development, your responsibilities would include: 

  • Analysing data collected from in-country consultancy interventions 
  • Creating market research reports on local markets for products/services 
  • Investigating global trends and market opportunities for products/services 
  • Researching additional products/services related to industries of interest

 Data & Insight Analyst 

Focussing on monitoring and evaluation, your responsibilities would include: 

  • Evaluating data collected from SME diagnostic reports 
  • Analysing the local impact of various projects 
  • Sharing the insights gathered to inform best business practices 
  • Streamlining Challenges’ internal database management 

 Benefits to you

  • Independent research on a provided brief that will have a tangible development impact 
  • Experience working within an international organisation  
  • Complete flexibility around your study/work schedule 
  • Receive a professional qualification from the Chartered Management Institute (CMI) at a significant discount 

 Programme Structure 

Programs length will be between 3 and 10 weeks and will require a minimum of 10 hours per week. 

As part of the induction process, we will work together to build a timetable for the research placement. This will be structured around your work/study schedule to enable a successful research placement alongside your other commitments.  

 To complement your research, you will have access to the learning material for a Level 5 qualification in Professional Consulting, accredited by the Chartered Management Institute (CMI). To professionalise your experience with Challenges Worldwide, you can choose between either a Certificate (2 units) or Diploma (6 units). See challengesworldwide.com/learn for the most up-to-date prices. 

 While most of the work can be done remotely, we strongly recommend that you are in the Edinburgh office at least once a week to make the most of the range of expertise available. 

Key Competencies required include: 

  • Working towards an undergraduate or postgraduate degree (or equivalent qualification) 
  • Strong report writing and analysis skills  
  • Strong communication skills 
  • Ability to set and achieve goals independently 
  • Strong work ethic, reliability and professionalism 
  • Interest in international development and private sector growth 
  • For Data & Insight Analysts: intermediate Excel competency  

 Desired:  

  • Experience working on projects with an international team 

Pricing

UK based

Certificate

 £360

Diploma

 £660

 

Apply

 

For more information: contact Taryn Cornell using the contact form below or phone 0131 564 1588

Tuk Tuk in Chandni Chowk - main and oldest street in Old Delhi (2)
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Between stereotypes and realities

Arriving at a new place always brings uncertainty with it. Going from Venezuela to Edinburgh to do my master’s degree was definitely a big cultural shock. But then, not happy with this change from South to North, from not so developed to more developed, going from amazing tropical weather to cold winters and summers, I decided to travel South again. This time, to India. And whenever this happens, stereotypes are begging to arise. Going from South to North makes you believe that you can buy whatever you need there, but when you go the other way around, you quite freak out, even if you come from a country in the Global South like me.

Unsurprisingly, I wasn’t alone in this not-so-positive opinion about India. When I told my friends and family that I was going to Bhubaneswar, the capital of one of the poorest states in the country, different opinions arose. All of them started with a celebration: “That’s awesome!”; “What an adventure!”; “Congratulations!” Yet, most of them were also followed by a “but”. “But be ready, your heart will shrink with all the poverty you’ll see”; “but don’t be walking around alone, you’ll get raped”; “but don’t be eating in the streets or drinking water”; “but why did you choose such a dangerous country, especially for women.” Suddenly my mind was full of buts and, I’ve got to admit, after receiving so many warnings and concerns I got a little bit more worried than I already was.

Hidden Indian streets.

Then, what started as a small suitcase, turned into 23Kg of luggage, full of just-in-case things, from movies and books to keep myself entertained, to water purifier tablets, loads of medicines and even toilet paper! I know, being cautious never hurts. But my caution was based on a prejudice which, also, was based on a quite biased reality, the one that we hear about back home (in Venezuela). So that’s one of the big problems of stereotypes. It is not that they are not true, but they are just one version of the truth; that part of people’s and countries’ realities that has been decided to be told. Suddenly the big date arrived, and with all the “buts” in mind and my 23 kg I got into the plane. After half a day travelling, and a couple of guilty pleasure movies watched on the plane (all Disney), I arrived in Bhubaneswar’s airport. A very hot place, with a spectrum of colours mixed with a curry smell, where all eyes were on me (foreigners get all the attention) and there were mostly men around. Of course, one of the “buts” came to my mind right away.

So there I was, trying to play it cool, ignoring all the looks and trying to find the person of the NGO I was going to work with. But punctuality is not a thing in India, and after 20 minutes of “playing cool” Alok arrived. Then there I was, having my first glance of a city of contrasts, where poverty and underdevelopment mix with luxury shops and cars almost in every corner. After a month, I got more than just a glance of Bhubaneswar and at the end, most of the “buts” were replaced. Yes, there was poverty, but also opportunities and people wanting to make those opportunities available for everyone. Yes, men can sometimes be very pushy even just to take a picture with you, but more than that nothing will happen and, if it does, people around will help. Yes, it can be more complicated for women to move around, but it is not impossible and Indian women are already breaking paradigms. Yes, your stomach will get delicate, but you didn’t travel to India if you didn’t try their delicious food variety and something didn’t suit that well. Then no, those preconceptions are not the main characteristics of India.

Transporting Gods’ sculptures in the Rath Yatra festival in Bhubaneswar.

The India I got to know is a country of very friendly people that will go out of their way to help you and make you feel at home. A country full of hard working people, that wake up at 5 am and sometimes stay in their shops until 9 or 10 pm because it is more pleasant for the client to go shopping at night (believe me, it’s a wise decision). Also, it’s a country full of passionate people, who want to make their city, state and country a way better place. People who have out of the box ideas to improve rural communities and that quit stable jobs just to work for their passion. I also found a country –at least a state– where leisure time and sharing with the people around you is very important, so you end up playing cricket during work hours and eating altogether during lunch. I found a country where, as in Venezuela, everything can be fixed with a smile. A place of volatile people that can scream at each other but the next day everything is ok. Also, a country of tolerance, with many religious beliefs that interact with each other and are respected by everyone.

Sugar cane juice enterprise powered with solar panels in Bhubaneswar.

At the end, I found that my mental sluggishness of generalising our opinions about people and countries in a very simple way made me be prejudiced, which can affect the attitude we take when start working in a different culture. Being aware of the risks of the places that we travel to is necessary, but acknowledging the differences and rescuing the positive aspects of them is as or even more important. Understanding this last point allows us to succeed in working with other cultures and learning from them. In this sense, I developed patience and respect for the former work dynamics, which also made me have to put in practice communicational and negotiation skills in order to be able to carry out my dissertation. I also learned to work with a translator to help communicate with the locals, which is complicated, and understood the importance of religion in the daily dynamics. Finally, I stopped having the necessity to find that India that I was expecting to find, and enjoyed the fast growing country full of ideas, willingness and contrasts.

If you want to find out more about working cross culturally then why not read “Top 10 tips for cross cultural working” written by Lucy Gibson, Team Leader in Kumasi, Ghana.

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Pay As You Go Solar Home Systems in Zambia: Socio-technical transitions towards transformative change

This abstract is from a previous field research placement that saw an MSc student from Edinburgh University work with Zambian SME Vitalite during Summer 2016 to conduct field research for their MSc dissertation. 

If you are interested in conducting field research for your dissertation through Challenges Worldwide, visit our Research Placements page 

Globally, between 1.2 and 1.5 billion people lack access to electricity

Over half this number, around 620 million, live in sub-Saharan Africa. This is despite the fact that electrification has been shown to have a profoundly positive impact on many human development outcomes. Due to the geographic, economic and political remoteness of many unelectrified populations, it seems unlikely that a conventional ‘universal copper grid’ will provide them with access in the near future. However, trends in the mobile communications and photovoltaic industries have successfully been harnessed to bring distributed solar generation to over 500,000 households in sub-Saharan Africa, creating transformative change. This has been enabled by innovative distribution models developed by mobile network operators (MNOs), and the rise of mobile money, which allows households to pay for solar equipment in regular micro-instalments. The organisations distributing and operating these Pay As You Go Solar Home Systems are primarily based in East Africa.

This study investigates the potential for their success to be replicated in Zambia, through research conducted with Vitalite, a company pioneering the technology in Zambia. The study employs a socio-technical transitions lens to analyse data collected from early PAYG SHS adopters in Zambia, others who could benefit from the system, and company staff.

Read Joe’s MSc Dissertation

Visit the VITALITE website for more information

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Katie Greenwood is fundraising for Challenges Worldwide ICS

Hi Katie, great to see you are doing well with your fundraising for your Challenges Worldwide ICS placement, you have been very entrepreneurial and we think you are displaying the kind of proactive nature that will ensure success, therefore we thought it would be good to catch up with you so you could share your experience and help inspire others with their fundraising efforts.  

What are you doing for your fundraising?

I am making candles and Christmas cards to sell online, at a Christmas fairs and to friends and family. I also have a plan to host a local event in the village and hope to do some talks to the local Women’s Institute.

a8a82de0-f400-41e2-815b-25e0a86f0dd4Why did you choose to sell candles for your fundraising?

I really love anything DIY and wanted to use this passion to make something that would encourage donations for my fundraising target. I found a video on Buzzfeed DIY that sparked the idea, and after some online research, I realised the simplicity of it. Candles are something I use regularly to calm me down after a stressful day, and essential oil blends are something I use each night to help me sleep. Blending all my passions spurred me into buying the supplies and getting to action!

Have you much experience in making products by hand?

I have dyspraxia, which limits my coordination. I really enjoy making things, but have very little confidence and ability in doing so. I have tried with little success to be creative and make things I even used to knit products (with very little avail) in 2014. After discovering candle making involved very little coordination I jumped at the idea. Though I struggle with simple things within the process, the ongoing production of them will only improve my ability.

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How do you plan to sell them?

I am currently utilising Facebook and Instagram as a medium to get friends and family onboard. I also have had a few sales through word of mouth, which is very useful for the older generations. I have managed to secure a Christmas fair stall on December 2nd. If it is successful there is another fair I will try to attend. I have also set up a Depot store selling them, which hasn’t been promoted as much as I could but now I have set up my Etsy store, I will aim to promote this when I have 2-3 products to encourage visitors and promote sales.

 

 

Do you have experience of selling products online?

Other than selling clothes on eBay, I have little online sales experience. However my Mum works for a small cashmere company that is based online, and she is able to provide me with a lot of helpful tips and aid me with this.

 candle-1Do you think that fundraising for Challenges Worldwide ICS has helped you to improve your skills?

Massively, Challenges Worldwide has given me the confidence to pursue something I was previously so nervous to do. The support I have been provided with has helped me make the move to start doing it and encouraged me to keep going with it and aim as high as I can.

How do you think you might use these skills to support a fast growing business in Kitwe, Zambia?

The skills I’m learning are those that many struggling businesses have to go through, the hurdles that have to be jumped by me selling candles can only be harder for a fast growing business. I will be able to use these skills to allow me to relate to the problems the businesses are facing, and enable me to provide successful suggestions with proven worth on how to combat the problems. The skills are not something I could have learnt in any other manner than doing it all myself.

What are you most hoping to get out of your Challenges Worldwide ICS placement in Zambia?

I am hoping to be able to develop my confidence and be able to gain a better insight into SME growth in developing countries in an aim to tackle poverty. Learning skills to tackle poverty are very important to me. I am hoping my placement will take me a step closer to enable me to work in international development and with charities in the future. I also hope that by becoming a team leader in a foreign environment I will learn how to bring the best out of people, and how to successfully lead a team aiding my career development opportunities.  

Good luck with your fundraising efforts Katie! You are doing a great job and we can’t wait to have you join our team in February!

If you would like to support Katie and Challenges Worldwide ICS by buying one of Katies handmade candles you can visit her shop on Etsy, donate to her JustGiving or show her some love on Instagram.

Why do our volunteers fundraise?

Although the Department of International Development (DFID) funds 90% of the approximate £7000 cost for each International Citizen Service volunteer. ICS asks participants to raise a fraction of the cost so that others can also have the ICS experience. The money raised will go towards enabling the overall costs of ICS, ensuring that youth volunteers from the UK can continue to make a lasting difference in disadvantaged communities around the world.

Are you a Challenges Worldwide ICS volunteer with an exciting fundraising story to tell? Get in touch with your Pre-departure Coordinator and tell us all about it.  Alternatively, you can send an email to our communications team at comms@challengesworldwide.com

Would you like to volunteer in Africa with Challenges Worldwide through the ICS programme? If you are from the UK you can apply here. If you are from Ghana, Uganda or Zambia, please apply here.

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Challenges Worldwide Presents: The KingzmenGH

We are pleased to announce the success of one of Challenges Worldwide Alumni, Abel Ofoe-Osabutey, who has successfully started a Bamboo eye wear business in his home country of Ghana.

The Kingzmen Gh was born out of his undying interest in his sister’s eye defect which she has lived with from childhood. By age four, Abel’s little sister could hardly open her eyes and struggled to see in the high rays of the sunlight and was deemed to be partially blind. As a result, she had to leave her regular schooling due to her inability to cope with class activities and the negative attention she got for her eye condition.

Inspired by this, Abel Ofoe-Osabutey, was motivated to do something innovative to help support the movement to prevent blindness amongst people living in Ghana, Africa and across the world. In the backseat of a Business class at the University of Ghana Business School, he conceived the idea to start an Eyewear Business aimed at solving one of the leading causes of blindness in Ghana and across the world, Cataract. Joining this with his passion to cause change in Ghana through innovative ways of job creation and creating better living standards, The Kingzmen Bamboo Eyewear was conceived.

Abel however didn’t start this business right after conceiving the idea. He wanted some advice from a creative genius in order to know what direction to take his business. Fortunately, he was paired with a design expert, Izzy Housley during his ICS volunteer period under the supervision of Challenges Worldwide. After bouncing off ideas between each other over the period, Abel set out to begin his entrepreneurial journey.

His vision for the Eco-friendly Sunglasses is to help prevent cataracts one pair of sunglasses at a time while creating sustainable jobs through continuous innovation and cutting edge designs and concepts. He also believes in the vast potential of the African continent and seeks to use his brand to inspire individuals to join in exploring and promoting the continent by thinking differently and acting differently.

We caught up with Abel to find out more about his business and how his Challenges Worldwide ICS placement helped him realise his dreams.

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CW:Hi Abel, Thank you for taking the time to speak to us about your exciting new venture, The Kingzmen GH. Would you be kind enough to share with our readers some of your inspirations and goals for developing your sunglasses range so that we may inspire more young people to follow their dreams?
AO: It is really great to hear from you and it is quite amazing that i get to have a feature with Challenges Worldwide. I hope I will be able to inspire a lot more young people out there.
CW: I understand your inspiration comes from your sisters eye condition. What was your reason for deciding to start an eyewear brand to help tackle this problem?
AO: My main inspiration for starting a business first of all was the reason that I have had a strong urge to be a business owner for a while. So in search of things I was passionate about that I could transform into a business, I decided to focus on my sister’s eye defect and make a business aimed at helping to prevent people from suffering blindness. I did some research around it and discovered that one of the main causes of blindness in Ghana was Cataract and one of the ways to prevent it was by shielding your eyes from the sun. Hence a sunglasses business. Cataract usually occurs in older people in Ghana because they have exposed their eyes to the sun over a long period of time growing up. In my view, its always best to prevent it before it occurs by wearing sunglasses as often as possible.
CW: How did you come up with the design of the glasses?
AO: My challenges team mate, Izzy Housley was very helpful in that area. Whenever I come up with a concept in my mind I tell her about it and using her design expertise, she put together something. Generally, the designs have been inspired by popular sunglasses we see people wear around just to ensure that they are trendy with our own special touch of difference.
CW: What are the reasons for using Bamboo?
AO:Bamboo was chosen as a result of its strength. In Ghana, it’s used as beams when building storey buildings as a result of its strength and durability. It’s also a plant that grows very quickly compared to wood hence making it a more sustainable eco-friendly source for us. The choice to use bamboo particular came to mind when I read the bamboo bike story from Kumasi which inspired me to use bamboo for my designs. Its worth adding that, the business I worked with was a family oriented and one of the siblings in the family happened to be involved in a similar idea where she made glasses from wood and sold only to her friends. So seeing her designs also helped bring my bamboo concept into perspective.
CW: Do you think the Challenges Worldwide ICS programme helped you to be able to develop this business?
AO:Challenges was very instrumental in my success because if not for Challenges I may not have met Izzy and I may have been stuck or delayed at a point in my business. She has been quite helpful and am quite grateful for all the things she thought me with regards to design while we were on the programme. She introduced me to some email template platforms for communicating with customers and suppliers which have been quite helpful. Her insight of how to sell via social media in order to build a presence have also been useful in building our page. My knowledge in negotiations from CMI are also helping me to make some contact with retail outlets which seem positive to take on my product.
CW:Finally, what are your long term goals for the business?
Our vision as a brand is to inspire focuses on cataract prevention, one eyewear at a time while creating sustainable jobs through continuous innovation and cutting edge designs and concepts. We also believe in the vast potential of the African continent and seek to inspire individuals to join us in exploring and promoting the African continent using its indigenous products.

 

Congratulations Abel, We are proud of you.