In Yabi-Kumasi as we gave away 150L of safe drinking water, NKWA NSUO
For 12 years I have tried to concieve a business model to bring jobs and safe drinking water to Yabi. In 2012 I wrote this:
"My goal is to create revenue through my talents and skills to help families in Kumasi, Ghana access clean h2o for their households and advocate for sustainable development."
Yabi Assemblyman Nana Osei Tutu enjoys NKWA Nsuowith Black Africa
Three years ago today I failed miserably to launch this safe drinking water innovation. It was a horrible irony to end the campaign on April Fool's Day. I was devastated...again. When I lost the Good Jobs Initiative pitch in January, I was unsure what to do with the audience choice prize I did win. It wasn't enough to launch the water depots. It wasn;t even enough to cover my entire plane ticket, visa or passport renewal. Yet as I committed the amount I did have to the launch things came together. Matt Candler, from 4.0 Schools committed funds, that allowed me to renew my passport and get visa.
Yabi has changed alot since I was there 8 years ago. The only thing that did not change is that I was thinking about Yabi and Yabi was thinking about me. As the time drew closer to launch I began to feel trepidation because inevitably whenever a new project is launched failure is always a possible outcome. I believe that the project is a successful failure. I say that because to bring this water depot in 2 weeks and have to learn the business landscape in 1 week is not sufficient time to set up and train a local entrepreneur to be successful. This initial launch happens to be with my husband and will not be like it will be with any other entrepreneur. Yet in many ways it will. He had local expertise and knowledge of how the local landscape would require me to do adapt how I initially thought the water depots would be set up. His input was invaluable with the success we have achieved. Including the excitement of Yabi and support of the opening of the ceramic water filter facility.
For years bringing safe drinking water to Yabi seemed so unattainable. Yabi is a very small village in the small district of Kwadaso-Kumasi. Yet in these years Yabi has thought of its safe drinking water and safe sanitation with new projects of an improved borehole and local toilets for men and women. And a new public toilet project currently underway. But all of this self-financed. As has been my own social enterprise. Look at the statistics of investment in black women founders. This year I was in Ghana during New Orleans Entrepreneur Week. But I made one session this year on Friday that featured Undervalued Innovators.
Since 2009 what has driven me is that people die because they do not have access to safe drinking. I wanted to create a method to connect commerce to social action. Using consumer products to do it. Inspired by my own African traditional heritage and resources. But when financing is needed to grow what you start you begin to learn if you are a black woman, you are on your own. I learned long ago that me and Yabi, we are on our own. Except for the supporters we gained along the way. Thankyou if you are one of them. If you haven't joined our revolution yet please follow me on instagram and facebook-
nana afia's art expo
I was also able to start a mural that Black Africa will finish in the next months. It is our first art project together and I'm excited to see the finished project. As for NKWA NSUO Fresh Water Depot they have launched and I am humbled that they have. Please support the water depot by purchasing a tshirt or hoodie.
But it has been your support of the natural products line and your belief that all people deserve safe drinking that has made the launch of NKWA NSUO possible~
Thank You
Medaase Wo
Comments
Post a Comment