Uganda: Ajura, Eco-Friendly Fashion and Empowerment
Silk fabric with abstract design.
Fostering women's empowerment and sustainable design through eco-friendly fashion in Uganda.
Project description
Ajura is fashion label that was founded in July 2019 in Uganda under a registered company Ajura Styles SMC Ltd. Our mission is to provide high-end ecofriendly fashion products to customers in different global markets to support and reduce the destruction of the environment at an affordable rate.
We also offer training to support to young women and girls in the area of eco friendly fashion and also in the area of garment cutting and construction. These skills support women's independence and success. Since opening, we have been able to hire two part time and one full time employees who earn a living by working with Ajura Styles SMC Ltd.
Ajura was highlighted in the summer 2021 edition of GWEM magazine, which was created by UB alum, Amanda Hart as a 2020 ELN project https://simplebooklet.com/gwmdreamersedition21#page=1
As Ajura continues to evolve its brand and business model, there are several areas for student contributions including:
- Website development
- Creating an online store/market
- social media
- Funding to help recruit and train more individuals especially women who will help produce the eco print fabric and get paid for doing it for.
Project outcome
Students are invited to contribute their ideas and talents to this growing business venture. Priority will be given to projects that help build capacity through revenue generation, marketing and strategic communications.
Project details
| Length of commitment | About a semester (3-5 months) |
| Start time | Anytime |
| Level of collaboration | Individual student project |
| Benefits | Academic Credit, Volunteer, Work Study |
| Who is eligible | All undergraduate students |
Core partners
Project mentor
Mara Huber
Associate Dean, Undergraduate Research and Experiential Learning; Director, Experiential Learning Network
Start the project
To apply for one of the limited spaces, send an interest email to ubeln@buffalo.edu with the following information and one of our staff will respond with more information via email :
- Share relevant background information about yourself and why you are interested in a global project.
- Review the list of current global partnerships, list the three you are most interested in working with and explain why for each.
- Explain what you hope to contribute to and gain from a global project.
Note that global partners rely on the contributions associated with ELN student projects and commit their limited time and resources to working with students. Accordingly, different projects will require varying amounts of time and strong commitment and follow through.
Preparation activities
Once you begin the digital badge series, you will have access to all the necessary activities and instructions. Your mentor has indicated they would like you to also complete the specific preparation activities below. Please reference this when you get to Step 2 of the Preparation Phase.
- Examine the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the history of the framework. Then select one SDG to focus on as you work through your project.
- Download and complete this PowerPoint template.