THE

GIVING

FACTOR

Inside AWEC's Giving Campaign

Why do we give? Giving back to those who’ve lifted us up, and to our communities is the heart of the African spirit. For our giving campaign, we had a candid conversation with some of our alumnae, Generose Ndalami from Malawi, Kimani Purity Wanjiru from Kenya, and Uzoamaka Igweike from Nigeria, to find out why they give.

AWEC: Each of you has a unique journey. Please share a bit about your experience as a business owner and an AWEC fellow, and how this journey has influenced your decision to give back to AWEC.

KIMANI: AWEC was my first entryway into business training. It was extremely impactful, given my background was in chemistry, and I didn’t have experience in business before. Coming into a network of women entrepreneurs with decades of experience and knowledge that I didn’t have left me thinking that I had to do something to support the next person.

“I had no business background and yet wanted to run a business and here came this program that told me what to do, step-by-step. It was very impactful. And the fact that you have a network of people who are going through the same thing helps you to not feel alone.”

AWEC: That’s beautiful. I think that touches a lot of what we hear. That sort of connection is what inspires people to give back. And so it's really great that you were so impacted by your experience that you wanted to make sure that someone else could have that. Is that a sentiment that resonates with anyone else?

UZO: When I joined the program, I couldn't believe that all that knowledge and experience was being delivered for free. If AWEC charged for this, I would’ve paid for it because it was worth it. Giving back is a token of appreciation. AWEC has really good alumnae that need to be supported. We need to push AWEC to a point where being an AWEC alumna opens doors. That kind of influence needs a very strong organization. And for us to have that strength, it just needs to be funded.

"I am hoping to be able to build that kind of organization or association for AWEC.”

GENEROSE: From the fruits I’m bearing now with my business, the transformation, and successes, I’ve felt that more women need to be trained too. If you empower one woman, the whole village, the whole town, the whole country is empowered.

“I don't have much, but I think the little I have will train somebody so they can experience the same fruits I have.”

AWEC: Is that a different experience for those of you who are recurring donors?

UZO: Being a regular donor is why I give. I don’t give as an act of righteousness or vanity but because I want us to build a strong community. Therefore I have to keep on giving.

GENEROSE: We need a strong AWEC, a well-funded AWEC, so that it can go so many miles in Africa. That’s why I give.

KIMANI: When I came to AWEC I felt like I could trust any amount of money with these people because I felt like they knew what they were doing and they were going to use this money in the right way. The program was really well run and very efficiently executed. And even though the program was free, it was still very high quality. I’ve done other programs since AWEC and they haven’t been efficient or as respectful of my time.

"AWEC has taken its role seriously. I trust their mission to build the capacity of African women."

The Giving Factor

With a cooperative as dynamic and broad as ours, the giving factor is complex and diverse too. We all have different motivations for giving. As an organization, we are constantly seeking ways to tap into this diversity and speak to the heart of why someone gives.

However, these factors are also influenced by the practicality of making a donation. The logistics of giving is a struggle many of our alumnae face. Due to the exchange rates, foreign currency transaction fees, and international banking regulations in some African countries, donating is a barrier for many of our alumnae. We are currently in the process of exploring other platforms and ways for our community to donate in their local currency, and we will continue to explore globally friendly giving platforms as they come onto the market (Have one that you love? Please tell us about it!)

Our online giving platform, Mighty Cause, currently operates in USD currency. In the meantime, if you would like to pay it forward and you’re able to donate in USD, please donate here.

How to Give

Ladies, a heartfelt thank you for taking the time to have this open conversation and contributing to our giving campaign. We appreciate your giving in all forms: donating your time, talent, and treasure to ensure AWEC’s commitment to building up African women entrepreneurs.