Insect-repellent detergent. It sounds so simple, but this idea is saving lives in Uganda. Ayila is a registered Ugandan social enterprise creating insect-repellent detergent and soap bars that protect against insect infestations that cause deadly diseases.

When I arrived in Mpigi, Uganda, as an international Climate Fellow, I met dozens of incredible young social entrepreneurs. But one enterprise stood out to me almost immediately: Ayila. It wasn't just the product that caught my attention; it was the people behind it.

The first time Ruth Nakaweesa, Ayila's CEO, pitched the idea to me, her passion was contagious. She spoke about protecting communities from insect-borne diseases with so much determination that I couldn't help but believe in her vision. As I spent more time with the team, I realized Ayila wasn't just another start-up. It was built from lived experience, and a passion for solving an issue heavily impacting their community.

For Baker, this mission is deeply personal. He lost his sister to a preventable insect-borne illness, a devastating reality that confronts many families in Uganda. Instead of letting that tragedy define him, he and his teammates turned it into purpose. Richard's motivation is equally personal. Growing up, he watched his single mother struggle to keep her small food stand afloat as persistent insect infestations damaged her products and threatened their family's only source of income.

Together, these young entrepreneurs founded Ayila at SINA in Mpigi, Uganda, where young people build social enterprises to solve the problems they know best. Over the past three

years, they have built their company from the ground up.

Today, Ayila produces innovative insect-repellent cleaning products that help keep flies, cockroaches, and other disease-carrying insects away from restaurants, schools, homes, and public spaces. Their products don't just clean, they help protect communities and schools. They've already created 28 direct and indirect jobs, earned the trust of more than 531 customers, delivered health and sanitation education in local schools, and worked closely with women-owned businesses to create safer spaces for both owners and customers.

As climate change brings warmer temperatures and changing rainfall patterns, insects that spread disease continue to thrive. Solutions like Ayila's are becoming more important than ever. Now they're ready for their next chapter.

We're raising $5,000 to help Ayila expand their production and purchase a plastic melting machine so they can recycle returned bottles into new packaging. They already operate a bottle return program because they're committed to reducing plastic waste, but this machine will allow them to close the loop and build a more circular business.

The funding will also help support the founders themselves. For four years, they've poured everything they have into growing Ayila without being able to pay themselves. The funds will allow them to support their families while expanding their production and scaling up, bringing in more revenue for the company and for themselves.

I've had the privilege of watching this team work every day. I have no doubt that they're building something that will improve lives across Uganda and beyond.

If you're able to donate, no matter the amount, you'll be investing in much more than a business. You'll be investing in healthier communities, and three remarkable young entrepreneurs who refused to accept that preventable diseases should continue to take lives.

Thank you for helping Ayila take this next step!