South Sudanese refugees in Bidi Bidi camp, Uganda, are dependent on aid with few job opportunities. Despite the horrifying conditions that led these courageous people to flee their country, hope remains. An extraordinary refugee, Rose, has a long-term plan to create economic freedom in the camp for 300 women every year. This project funds machinery, materials, & training to kick-start Rose's embroidery business, an inspired vision that will provide vocational training and jobs for her community.
In less than 2 years, nearly 300,000 people have fled war and famine in South Sudan to Bidi Bidi refugee camp in northern Uganda. Over 80% are women and children. They are dependent on aid for their basic needs, and have few job opportunities in a host country with an 80% unemployment rate. Desperate conditions lead some to return to their dangerous home country, while others fall into a pattern of prolonged dependency. This project will impact 300 refugee women and their families every year.
Rose, together with her collective of 35 women from 5 different tribes, has clarified a long-term plan to create economic sustainability in the camp for 300 women every year. Many women hand-embroider beautiful tapestries, a skill passed down from their mothers and grandmothers. This project will provide the machinery, materials, and training to transition the women from hand-work to modern machine-work, increasing production and allowing them to sell and rent their products on a large scale.
This project will allow Rose and her collective to kick-start their embroidery business and develop a sustainable income so that they can take care of their families and the community. With the machinery and training in place, every year the collective will train 300 refugee women who have traditional hand-work skills and are eager to join the collective and learn the machines. Production and profitability will grow exponentially, and 100s of women and their families will gain economic freedom.
