RE:13 Sew Up, Start Up!

My name is Natalie Freeman and I run a social enterprise called RE:13 Global,  an organisation that delivers enterprise and creative skills training to marginalised women and girls in rural communities in Zimbabwe, providing practical help and resources to facilitate their business start-ups. RE:13 is based on the principles of recycle, refresh and renew, utilising recycled materials and fabric offcuts to create new items for him, her and home.

Having completed our pilot project in Chipinge in February 2018, we have learned so much about the needs of the communities we are working with and have come to ask for donations to help us secure the resources they need to make real change.

We are raising funds to secure sewing machines, training venues, start-up handbooks and other project costs, all of which will go towards supporting participants to design, create and market their handmade products. Alongside the delivery of practical skills, RE:13 pay a fair price for items produced by our new business partners, as well as supporting them to be ready for trading in new markets. 

Sewing machines will be continually available to participants as we will develop creative hubs that will include access to the sewing machines for those who will taking their sewing businesses forward. The aim is sustainability and ongoing access to resources that support the creation of the entrepreneurs we will discover as part of our project.

We work in partnership with a Zimbabwean NGO, F.A.C.T.  who exist to support those affected by HIV and AIDS, through health, education and economic strengthening activities, which is where we align. Our participants are from marginalised, rural communities who will benefit from the project as it gives them the chance to start and maintain small businesses that will provide an income for individuals, and by extension their families and communities. 

We are returning to Zimbabwe in June 2018 for the second cycle of our project and will need to secure the funds by the end of May 2018.

Every donation is welcome and very gratefully received. Please share this campaign with your friends, family and colleagues.

Tatenda! Ngiyabonga and thank you! 

Natalie