Adam Boxer, the co-founder of Wessex Social Ventures (WSV), is a designer and innovator who uses business thinking and frugal innovation to tackle the basic problems that hold people back in life.  One of these is basic problems is lack of affordable eyecare.

Wessex Social Ventures Limited provides pre-designed business models that have shown their ability to create widespread impact in communities. WSV packages these business models into a “Business in a Box (BiaB)” for easy replication. ​

​WSV’s current portfolio of BiaB includes a partnership with DOT Glasses to provide affordable reading glasses and eyecare in Kenya. WSV trains and provides partners and local entrepreneurs with the ability to run small DOT Glasses’ businesses. The businesses then sell glasses for $5, This is on average 5x cheaper than other myopic (short-sightedness) glasses on the market. With most of our customers being first time glasses customers.​

With QECT’s support, WSV has been able to: ​

• Deliver 30 glasses kits and 800 replenishments to the DOT glasses partner for distribution to the agents  and identified 6 locations for DOT glasses operations in Kenya.​
• Establish and run a revolving fund where 30 glasses kits were distributed to partner on credit.​
• Train the staff of 7 partner to  set up and support  the DOT agents in Kenya.​
• Build a local team and set up the DOT glasses (DG)  headquarters in Kenya  as the DG   transitions its headquarters  from Czech Republic.​

“QECT has given us the freedom to test a new approach to distributing the glasses in the communities we work in, with potential to scale massively. Alongside this they have given us amazing support in analysing our business and identifying where we need to improve.”​

Adam Boxer

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Aqeel Khalid always empathised with many talented men and women artisans in Pakistan that get exploited in the trading of their craft. This inspired him to start Vceela, a social enterprise that works to empower artisans across Pakistan by connecting the digitally illiterate and unconnected artisans directly to the local and international markets thus cutting out middlemen and enabling artisans to extract higher profits from their products. This is achieved through technology supported by Vceela’s ecosystem. 

Vceela currently works with more than 50,000 artisans from 344 villages and cities across Pakistan with 81% of Vceela’s artisans being homebased women artisans that are now able to profitably sell their artisanal products worldwide. 

With QECT’s support, Vceela will build, test, and launch Vceela’s innovative micro-incubation model. Through this model, Vceela will connect artists and designers to work together to create new, unique and export quality products. 

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An engineer by training, Daniel Teoh observed how poorly other Malaysians understood the Orang Asli communities that lived amongst them. He also observed the Orang Asli have their way of life unjustly disrupted by policies that prioritise economic gains from their ancestral land. To remedy this, Daniel wanted to build channels for the Orang Asli to meaningfully participate in the economy as the dignified contributors they have always been while creating opportunities for the Orang Asli to shape the narrative of their own people. On the flip side, he also wished to instill a sense of allyship between non-indigenous Malaysians to support the inclusion of their fellow indigenous citizens. 

To achieve this, Native co-creates community-based businesses that include community-based tourism and agricultural ventures. Native works with four indigenous Orang Asli communities in the outskirts of Selangor, Malaysia who were relocated from their ancestral lands but continue to nurture their relationship with their culture. 

Since inception in 2019, Native has supported the Orang Asli community to improve their annual incomes by up to 20% with over $25,000 being re-distributed into co-creating community-based businesses in their villages. They have so far hosted 1000+ guests on tours led by Orang Asli partners and exposed thousands more people to positive narratives around Orang Asli culture through media and a growing range of products. Native currently works with two groups on community-based tourism (Kampung Serendah and Kampung Gurney) and one agricultural venture (Biji Bumi Durian) that packages and sells locally produced durian fruits. 

With QECT’s support, Native will increase the number indigenous communities they work with. They will also build more community-based ventures to enhance the livelihoods of communities they are currently collaborating with.

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About 14% of children aged between 5 and 16 in Bangladesh lack affordable access to quality education and are not enrolled to educational institutions. This negatively affects their opportunities for future success. 

A teacher by profession, Sadia Jafrin founded GYRF, to provide access to quality of education for children in Bangladesh. GYRF provides teacher training facilities and numerous library stations in different corners of Bangladesh, including mobile, street, and online libraries. GYRF also runs an after school program where students from public universities provide national curriculum based learning to underserved children. Additionally, GYRF has a specially designed curriculum and publications that they use to supplement the national curriculum.

So far, GYRF’s initiatives have positively impacted 50,000+ people in Bangladesh. Their “Wheels of Wisdom” initiative has reached over 8,500 children who borrowed 7,400 books and accessed 34,000 hours of internet learning; their “Book Garage” that has 19 street libraries where 4,500 children gained access to learning materials and educational content. GYRF also provides online access to learning materials through a learning channel on YouTube and an audiobook app “Shunboi”.

With QECT’s support, GYRF will scale-up existing projects to meet the growing demand for their services thus making greater educational and learning impact in their community. 

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Having suffered from period poverty, a lack of information and guidance in her adolescence, Sharmin Kabir was inspired to work on the period “taboo” to make a better world for girls and women. She started Wreetu in 2016 with a vision to build a period-friendly world. 

Wreetu is a social enterprise that delivers menstrual education through community-based seminars and comic books. Wreetu also engages the community in fruitful menstrual discourse and offers washable, environmentally friendly, and economically viable menstrual hygiene products. Wreetu has been working to reduce gender inequality and empower women by ensuring their good health and well-being.  This has been achieved by involving the community in ensuring the accessibility, availability and affordability of menstrual knowledge, products, and services.  

Since its inception, Wreetu has developed the first comic book on puberty and menstruation for adolescent girls, through which they have educated over 100,000 girls and community members. Wreetu has also manufactured and distributed 17000+ comic books, 25,000+ reusable period products, and renovated 23 slum toilets while 8 more and 10 shower places renovation are in the process for girls and women so they can have their period dignity. Further, a video series and a period guide created for Dads have helped encourage healthy menstrual discourse with their daughters. Translating Wreetu Comic Book in Chakma Language has gained the attention of the Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) experts in Bangladesh.

With QECT’s support, Wreetu plans to finalize the development of a non-biased Gynae Services m-health App in Bangladesh, which will help address the gynecological needs of adolescent girls and women in hard-to-reach areas. With this platform, any girl or woman from Bangladesh will be able to read about various gynae topics, book services and talk to a doctor. It will also be a forum to interact with other users and buy affordable hygiene products.  

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Madelle Kangha grew up watching thousands of young people, including her siblings, complete formal education, only to join a growing pool of unemployed youth.She founded Jumpstart Academy Africa (JAA) to bridge the gap between Cameroon’s education system and the job market.

“Empowering young people through skills development is very crucial to the sustainable development of any country.”

Madelle Kangha

JAA works to reduce youth unemployment in Cameroon by partnering with schools to enhance learning outcomes. This is by equipping young people with skills in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM), computer courses, International English Language Testing System (IELTS), and entrepreneurial leadership. JAA also offers career coaching and guidance.

Since its inception in 2014, JAA programmes have reached over 20,000 young people. At least 30% of the young people who completed their training have launched businesses/projects, providing employment opportunities for themselves and other young people; 50% of their programme graduates have obtained internships and job placements; 80% of their students take on leadership roles in their communities, and finally, students experience a 311% increase in income after completing the Entrepreneurial Leadership Training.

JAA is among nineteen organisations that are currently enrolled on the Youth Ventures Programme (YVP). Through the YVP, QECT provides youth-led organisations with flexible funding, practical tools and technical support, and access to a global network of young leaders for 2+ years. 

With QECT’s support since March 2022​, JAA has been able to: ​

Facilitate training in STEM, IELTS,  critical thinking and problem solving and communication with impact for 100+ youth 

Form 10 social entrepreneurship clubs that hold weekly sessions, equipping 300+ youth with entrepreneurship and leadership skills virtually and in person

Offer career and scholarship guidance to 280+ youth

Strengthen its systems and processes in safeguarding, finance,  governance and risk assessment

“The MEL training we received from QECT has empowered us to develop a robust logical framework, performance monitoring and evaluation plan. As a result, we are able to more effectively measure our impact, and have been able to develop a strategic plan for JAA for the next 3 years.”​

Madelle Kangha

Future work supported by QECT in 2023: 

JAA aims to increase the number of youths accessing their programmes onsite and across Africa, virtually.  

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Safaath Ahmed decided to work for the betterment of her country. She founded Women and Democracy (W&D) to advocate for women in the Maldives, give them a voice and protect them.

“My dream is to empower Maldivian women and girls to reach to their fullest potential.“

Safaath Ahmed

W&D helps women in the Maldives who experience gender-based violence. The organisation provides gender-based violence interventions,  as well as safety and well-being services, such as health, psychosocial and legal support. 

In addition, W&D works towards women’s economic and political participation for good democratic governance in the Maldives.

W&D is among nineteen organisations that are currently enrolled on the Youth Ventures Programme (YVP). Through the YVP, QECT provides youth-led organisations with flexible funding, practical tools and technical support, and access to a global network of young leaders for 2+ years. 

With QECT’s support since March 2022, W&D has been able to: 

Offer psychosocial support to 155 women victims of violence.

Provide pro-bono legal advice and representation to 126 women and girls who experienced violence.

Expanded its helpline operations, increasing the number of women supported.

Strengthened systems and processes – with improvements to business planning, financial management, governance and risk management. 

“With QECT’s support we assist over 300+ women and girls annually, who are experiencing all forms of violence and in such unfortunate circumstances (through our established helpline). We provide free and confidential information, advice, advocacy and support for women and girls affected by any form of gendered violence and abuse. Due to this we are able to make a lasting impact in their lives, as we provide survivors with lifesaving services such access to psychosocial services, legal aid, and safe spaces in Maldives (in partnership with the QECT)”. ​

Safaath Ahmed Zahir

Future work supported by QECT in 2023: 

Establish a “One-stop Centre” for helping women experiencing violence to offer a more responsive alternative to that offered by the current government referral system. 

Click below to watch W&D’s video

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*Study by UK’s National Literacy Trust, 2020

Michael Omoniyi, a journalist by profession, founded the Common Sense Network to respond to media polarisation and manipulation and the existence of different echo chambers among young people. 

“Young people live in an increasingly digital world and our workshops empower them to navigate it safely and to contribute positively online.”

Michael Omoniyi

The Common Sense Network empowers and educates 18-34 year olds in the UK to become better digital citizens. They conduct workshops, online training, university tours and tackle topics such as fake news, emotional manipulation and polarisation. Young people also have access to the Common Sense Network’s extensive online editorial and news content. 

The Common Sense Network is among nineteen other organisations that are currently enrolled on the Youth Ventures Programme (YVP). Through the YVP, QECT provides youth-led organisations with flexible funding, practical tools and technical support, and access to a global network of young leaders for 2+ years. 

With QECT’s support since March 2022 The Common Sense Network has been able to:

To launch their “Be Digital Citizens” programme, which trained over 200 young people in digital skills in 3 schools. 

70% of the people trained have indicated that they developed new skills as a result of the workshop

Hire an operations executive to support the development and delivery of workshops and  engagement with schools.

“QECT’s support has really helped me feel more confident about approaching more organisations about the work we do. It makes me feel like I’m doing important work and other organisations can follow in the footsteps of QECT in helping us reach more young people.”​

Michael Omoniyi

Future work supported by QECT in 2023: 

CSN’s goal is to reach more young people and to train other young people to deliver their own workshops (train the trainer model).

Click below to watch CSN’s video.

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Douglas Mwangi was born and raised in Mathare. For him, quality schools were unaffordable, and affordable schools weren’t teaching skills that could get him anywhere. He founded Oasis Mathare to transform the lives of young people in similar positions to his.

“By helping children and youth in Mathare access quality education and skills to earn a livelihood, Oasis Mathare ensures that they have a fair shot in life.’’

Douglas Mwangi

Oasis Mathare is a grassroots youth-led organisation that leverages technology to reduce illiteracy and poverty in Mathare slums in Nairobi, Kenya.

Young people who attend Oasis Mathare’s classes learn software engineering and graphics design, and acquire coding and robotics software skills. Oasis Mathare also provides free access to learning material via basic phones without requiring internet access. 

Oasis Mathare also provides a safe space for children below 5 years to learn through play and through providing childcare creche facilities enables parents to learn or work. 

Oasis Mathare is among nineteen other organisations that are currently enrolled on the Youth Ventures Programme (YVP). Through the YVP, QECT provides youth-led organisations with flexible funding, practical tools and technical support, and access to a global network of young leaders for 2+ years. 

With QECT’s support since March 2022 Oasis Mathare has been able to:

Provide over 2,000 pupils with free online access to educational content.

Train 51 young people in software engineering, with 17 of them graduating as junior developers.

Facilitate science, technology, engineering, arts, maths and design (STEAMD) training for 331 pupils.

Establish strategic partnerships with stakeholders in tech industries who are providing added support for OM’s programmes.

Increase revenue through consulting and program sales. OM was recently contracted by Deutsche Welle to support one of their mobile applications.

“The combination of flexible funding which helps us direct resources where they are needed most and friendly youthful staff who understand the struggles faced by young organisations has helped us accomplish more as an organisation and this is what makes QECT stand out from other funders.’’

Douglas Mwangi

Future work supported by QECT in 2023: Oasis Mathare plans to train over 400 pupils in STEAMD and more youth in software engineering.

Click below to watch Oasis Mathare’s video.

The post Oasis Mathare – reducing illiteracy, youth unemployment and  poverty through technology in Kenya’s Mathare slums appeared first on Queens Commonwealth Trust.

Lesego Ndhlovu is a paediatric gastroenterology doctor. While on internship in rural South Africa, she observed wards full of severely malnourished children. She also noticed that only few mildly malnourished children were seen by medical professionals and were only taken to hospital when really sick. As a result,  failure to rehabilitate mildly malnourished children was putting their health at risk. Together with her friend Dr Keketso Mopeli-Tshehla she co-founded Marotholi Outreach to address this.

“A simple infection can quickly progress to severe illness for malnourished children. It is important to attend to them before this progression. ”

Dr Lesego Ndhlovu

Marotholi Outreach reduces the number of malnourished children in vulnerable communities in Motsoaledi and Tembisa townships in South Africa. It undertakes nutritional screening of children below five years and offers one-on-one nutritional counselling to care givers of children at risk of malnutrition. All children at risk aged below two receive, in addition to the counselling, a highly nutritious therapeutic food pack to help reduce malnourishment.

Marotholi Outreach is among nineteen organisations that are currently enrolled on the Youth Ventures Programme (YVP). Through the YVP, QECT provides youth-led organisations with flexible funding, practical tools and technical support, and access to a global network of young leaders for 2+ years. 

With QECT’s support since March 2022​, Marotholi has been able to: ​

Screen and rehabilitate 287 children in Tembisa and Soweto townships

Ensure a consistent supply of ready-to-use-therapeutic foods, for children assessed as malnourished

Hire a project coordinator and migrate to paperless data capturing, enabling founders and volunteers to see more children

Rent office space that doubles up as equipment storage space

Strengthen its systems and processes in finance and governance

“ We are incredibly grateful for the support we have received from QECT, both monetary and technical. Through this programme we have been able to successfully expand to a new site, allowing us reach more children. It has also enabled us to more effectively rehabilitate children through more efficient screening processes and the procurement of rehabilitation foods.”​

Dr Lesego Ndhlovu

Future work supported by QECT in 2023: 

Marotholi Outreach aims to set up operations in a third site and screen more children.

The post Marotholi Outreach – preventing malnutrition for children in vulnerable communities appeared first on Queens Commonwealth Trust.