Empowering female entrepreneurs to create sustainable livelihoods
Changing the world…one village at a time.
Wo Ye Bra (which translates to “menstrual cycle” in Twi, a Ghanaian dialect) is an empowerment program that creates female entrepreneurs in West Africa. We teach girls to create and sell sanitary pads, which ultimately reduces absenteeism in female youth.
Educate
Wo Ye Bra has a dual-purpose, to train women to run their own business, and to keep girls in school. We do this by providing all of the resources and training for impoverished women to learn how to sew. This includes providing a free sewing machine, fabric, supplies, patterns and micro-funding, as well as marketing, sales training and finance education.
Empower
The women accepted into the Wo Ye Bra program are identified by village faith-based leadership as those who have asked for a miracle. 90% of the women in the program have children. Wo Ye Bra graduates leave poverty and are able to provide food, shelter, clothing and education for their entire families. Through their own success and work, they become productive members of their community. Some of our graduates have even hired neighbors to work in the sewing business with them. They are able to have a sense of pride in their work, and respect in their villages.
Enlighten & Encourage
By producing reusable sanitary supplies, and training women to run their own businesses, Wo Ye Bra is a sustainable program. Our graduates are able to not just create the reusable pads, but also expand their businesses into making school uniforms and other clothing for their communities. This skill set is marketable. It also has negligible environmental impact, unlike disposable pads. Wo Ye Bra solves two societal problems at once - supporting women and their families and keeping girls in school. Educated women make for a better society. It’s a win-win.
“I wanted to learn how to sew the pads so I can teach other ladies in my church so they can make ends meet. As a single mother, I also wanted to earn more money so I can take care of my children and they can earn the highest level of education and status. My children are my inspiration. Wo Ye Bra is the BEST program I have ever been in with a very friendly and loving atmosphere to work in”
— Georgina Bondwa, Wo Ye Bra participant
Contact
Feel free to contact us with any questions.
Social Media
Instagram: @WoYeBra
Facebook: facebook.com/woyebra