SINA (Social Innovation Academy)

🌍12 Hours, 12 Changemaker Communities across Africa 📆Nov 28th! Join SINA's Changemaker-Maker Event Live on Giving Tuesday! Our Mission: Empower every young African to be the change they wish to see!🚀All details here: shorturl.at/svCM4

‘Brave Movement is a megaphone for my voice to be heard at its loudest, speaking out against sexual violence.’ @JanetAguti – social worker, life coach, & @totyaplatform founder – is fighting to #EndChildSexualAbuse with #BraveMovement. Meet Janet: bravemovement.org/sage/janet-agu…

What if disadvantaged youth could transform their experiences into pioneering social enterprises? Come join us on Friday 4 March at 4pm UTC to find out how! Dr Lucy Tweed will chat with the founder of @WeAreSINA, Etienne Salborn. twitter.com/i/spaces/1nAKE…

Join us for a conversation this evening with Etienne Salborn on Twitter Spaces twitter.com/i/spaces/1nAKE…

@Lukolyo @kanyindo @richardzulu Actually they have cheaper options like digital platforms available which they can use to their advantage twenty four seven. #digitalinclusionUG

@kanyindo @richardzulu @WeAreSINA Entrepreneurs everywhere must strive to understand their customers. Traditional media like radio can be useful in maintaining a pulse on public discourse. Entrepreneurs can then leverage #digital platforms to serve specific segments. #digitalinclusionUG

Entrepreneurs in under-served communities: In light of COVID19, what is needed and what can be done? #DigitalinclusionUG

@kanyindo @Lukolyo @RIL_Uganda @richardzulu I had an online discussion yesterday where some entrepreneur is already developing a herb to cure Corona using natural herbs from the bushes ...and i was like wow , go on and it will be tested of-course but the attitude and creativity is there and that is what matters first .

Crises can encourage ingenuity and creativity. Have you witnessed this in UG since the beginning of the C-19 crisis? Can you name some examples? @lukolyo @RIL_Uganda @richardzulu @WeAreSina #DigitalinclusionUG

@kanyindo @Lukolyo @RIL_Uganda @richardzulu We’ve shifted our sessions that we normally do to online using Facebook. It took us a few weeks to really understand what can work. It has been a challenge but also an opportunity especially in areas where access to online learning is still very basic .

@kanyindo @Lukolyo @RIL_Uganda @richardzulu We launched a hackathon in collaboration with Zetu Africa and with university campuses all over Uganda to elicit ideas on how to fight against C-19 crisis. That one was purely based on WhatsApp.Teams formed from different locations. #DigitalinclusionUG

@kanyindo @Lukolyo @RIL_Uganda @richardzulu Five social enterprises from SINA launched a crowdfunding campaign to collect funds to help families in Mpigi district and it was the very first time for our teams to collaborate on a project and it was a good learning for the teams involved. betterplace.org/de/projects/78…

@kanyindo @richardzulu @Lukolyo @_UnleashedUG Mentoring, coaching is needed now more than ever and entrepreneurs in under served communities can benefit from these services via mobile phones and via online to prepare them for the new normal and how best to move forward with their businesses. #DigitalinclusionUG

In light of COVID19, what are some of the most pressing needs for entrepreneurs in underserved communities? @richardzulu @WeAreSina @lukolyo @_UnleashedUG #DigitalinclusionUG

@kanyindo @richardzulu @Lukolyo @_UnleashedUG The attitude and open mindness to accept that there many opportunities that can actually be created out of any challenging situation because either way ,life must continue and its up to you and your team how you choose to accept the new change and embrace it . #DigitalinclusionUG

@kanyindo @richardzulu @Lukolyo @_UnleashedUG @RIL_Uganda Most of our social entrepreneurs don't have their own outside offices or spaces yet so we allowed them to continue to operating here and use our space for free –for example an enterprise making reusable sanitary pads is still essential to operate and run .

What are the ESOs (innovation hubs, microfinance institutions, business development facilities etc) that are directly working these marginalized groups currently doing to meet these needs? What more could they do? @richardzulu @lukolyo @WeAreSina @_UnleashedUG @RIL_Uganda

@kanyindo @richardzulu @Lukolyo @_UnleashedUG @RIL_Uganda Some of our enterprises are already pivoting while others are thinking of pivoting or iterating to something else that serves their organisation or company purpose even in this COVID 19 crisis . One business was formerly doing fashionable bags, now they are doing masks .

@kanyindo @richardzulu @Lukolyo Entrepreneurs opt to understand first who really their audiences are ? then how do they GET THEM ? how do they then KEEP THEM ?and then how do they then GROW THEM? #DigitalinclusionUG

How can these entrepreneurs ensure they are communicating with their audiences adequately? How can the supply and communication gap be bridged? @richardzulu @lukolyo @WeAreSina #DigitalinclusionUG

@kanyindo @richardzulu @Lukolyo @_UnleashedUG @RIL_Uganda Entrepreneurs in under served communities might not have access to state of the art technology devices but they have access to smart mobile phones in which ever form and they can use those FOR NOW without fear and only invest in voice bundles . #DigitalinclusionUG

How accessible is technology to these entrepreneurs? If not very accessible, how can we ensure that they are able to sustain their businesses and reach their audiences with limited technology? @richardzulu @lukolyo @WeAreSina @_UnleashedUG @RIL_Uganda #DigitalinclusionUG

@kanyindo @StartupUganda_ @UNCDFdigital Accepting change before change changes you to put your business or enterprise in a better position and attitude to see new possibilities than before.Having an open mind to see things differently can be a first step . #DigitalinclusionUG

@kanyindo Entrepreneurs in under served communities can actually start creating opportunities from the lessons we are learning out of this situation .How do you use the available resources at your disposal instead of waiting ..... #DigitalinclusionUG

There have been many discussions pertaining to the state of these entrepreneurs and startups but not too much light has been shed on entrepreneurs in under-served communities (refugee settlements, people with limited access to technology, etc). #DigitalinclusionUG

@kanyindo Apparently entrepreneurs in under served communities are struggling even more than before .Its a pity that even when some telecom companies where creating new internet packages In this COVID 19 period they designed them for the urban dwellers. #DigitalinclusionUG

@kanyindo @richardzulu @Lukolyo @_UnleashedUG @RIL_Uganda Currently many businesses are having some operational costs even when closed but there is also a chance for cutting down on costs as a first step forward during this time.Can some businesses start operating from home as a way of minimising costs for example ? #DigitalinclusionUG

Entrepreneurs are quite a diverse category; which ones are most likely to make it through the crisis? How could we help those whose business is at a risk of failing? @richardzulu @lukolyo @WeAreSina @_UnleashedUG @RIL_Uganda #DigitalinclusionUG

@kanyindo @richardzulu @Lukolyo @_UnleashedUG @RIL_Uganda Many can actually make it through but it all depends on the mindset of the team .How do they see challenges ? Can they see challenges as opportunities ? Are they able to understand that the flexibility to pivot ? .#DigitalinclusionUG