My name is Palesa Rapolo and I’m a 2017 graduate from Limkokwing University having graduated in Interior Architecture. I just completed my first month as a fellow in the eight-month in loco program by rise. My first month into the program has been inspirational, educational and fun. The atmosphere in the office is incredible, I get to go to work and do one of my favourite things in life, work while listening to dumb jokes and having a good laugh.
One of in loco’s goals is to train its fellows to be successful entrepreneurs, so for the first week we had a series of business training sessions where I learned to stop using money or capital as an excuse of why I can’t run my own business. We had a series of guest speakers who were truly inspirational. They shared with us their journey of how they started out to get to where they are right now. One of them named Malefetsane Mohlomi, said he started out with just his laptop and his mind. That really got me thinking, ‘why haven’t I? Who am I not to be successful? But then everything happens in its own time, I’ll tell my story someday.
My favourite part has got to be the participatory design workshop, not only because of the food, but most importantly what I got to learn from it. Going out to God’s Love Centre (GLC) and getting to know the people we are going to be designing for and hearing from them what they wanted instead of assuming we know what’s right for them. The sad part is that we can’t meet all their needs, but I hope that what we’ll give them will make a huge difference.
My second favourite part is definitely the trip to Morija, one of Lesotho’s most important historical and cultural sites. Morija has some of the oldest buildings such as the first Evangelical Church. I came back with a lot more appreciation for traditional methods of construction, and I’m definitely looking forward to going back there again.
Twenty of Lesotho’s most promising young entrepreneurs have been selected to join an 8-month design & build fellowship program which will run from February to September 2018. The fellows consist of 14 male & 6 female graduates and diploma holders from cross-disciplinary areas including architecture, civil & electrical engineering, construction management, interior design, carpentry, social welfare & community development from Lerotholi Polytechnic, Limkokwing University, National University of Lesotho, Institute of Development Management and Central University of Technology.
in loco has an innovative and unique approach to the Design and Build Training Programs. Created to have a real impact in the lives of all participants our approach builds on the Live Projects teaching model and learning from life, skills sharing and capacity building.
in loco engages with local communities, local NGOs, students and young graduates from local architecture and construction courses, as well as international participants with an interest in architecture, development, sustainability and the built environment.
This year’s inaugural project takes us to Maseru the capital of Lesotho, a country land locked inside of South Africa. Here, the in loco fellows will carry out much needed construction work to improve the quality of life for orphans who currently live in very cramped conditions in an existing orphanage called God’s Love Centre (GLC).
Following a “hands-on, bottom-up” approach, we will be working in close collaboration with members of the local community on the completion of this building and simultaneously start the design and construction of new dormitories, facilities and external play areas on a new site about 1km from the existing site.
At the same time, the fellows will go through a practical entrepreneurship-training program helping them to set up their own businesses and a pipeline of community construction projects throughout the country, with a particular focus on rural and semi-rural development.
Read the first of a series of blogs by one of the fellows – Palesa Rapolo. Stay tuned to follow their progress!
It would not be possible for us to do our work without our key partners. Throughout the planning of the program, partnerships have been formed with Limkokwing University, Lerotholi Polytechnic as well as the Ministry of Social Development (MoSD).
The MoSD continues to give us technical advice to ensure that we are following the national guidelines. We are also in discussions with the MoSD and UNICEF with regards to piloting a new therapeutic care program called “I am Who?” to help vulnerable children dealing with identity and self-identification issues, induced by loss and trauma. So look out for updates on this in the coming months.
An MoU has been signed with Limkokwing University who are very generously offering one of their classrooms as the in loco studio and giving the fellows access to their computer lab, projector and other facilities. We are also working in close collaboration with Lerotholi Polytechnic who is offering their auditorium for visiting lectures as well as sending their built environment professors to attend key workshops.
We look forward to forging more partnerships with key stakeholders working in the country and region.
An intense 10 days of learning about human centred design and then putting those learnings into practice by going into the community and finding out their exact challenges, needs and wishes for a better quality of life at the orphanage. The in loco lead Architects, Pedro Clarke and Luca Astorri visited Lesotho from Portugal and Italy respectively to run the workshop.
The in loco fellows learnt about various participatory design activities before going into the field and put these methods into practice. They split the community at GLC into 4 groups – children, two groups of adolescent youth and staff and spent an entire day collecting data and information.
Then came back to the studio, analysed the gathered data, identified the gaps of information and went back out into the larger community to collect more info and met with Ministry of Social Development, Maseru City Council, community members living around GLC’s existing and new sites as well as local entrepreneurs. They then put their findings together, presented to GLC who were given the opportunity to prioritise their wish list according to importance so that the fellows could then design accordingly which they are busy doing now.
A visit to the historic town of Morija, was also an important part of the workshop, so that fellows could learn about vernacular architecture and building techniques, including seeing the country’s oldest building made out of mud bricks built 130 years ago!
10 dedicated youth leaders were selected and trained as business coaches on how to facilitate basic business skills to low literary participants.
The youth leaders work in 5 different districts from Lesotho including Berea, Butha-Buthe, Leribe, Maseru and Teyateyaneng and will be adding the business trainings to their tool kit of programs to help bring about social change in their communities.
Two of the facilitators were in loco fellows who will be implementing the program with the GLC youth and staff.
We can’t wait to see what small businesses are launched once these trainings have been implemented!
NEW YORK CITY, October 31, 2017 – Our inaugural fundraiser, rise in the city, took place on October 25 at the Angel Orensanz Foundation, 172 Norfolk St, New York. The inspiring art exhibit, auction and social gathering was attended by over 280 people including many leaders from the design and architecture community.
Distinguished architecture firms, designers, and artists from 15 states and 11 countries created 76 original artworks for the event. The art was magnificently displayed at one of the oldest surviving gothic-revival synagogues in the USA.
Artists combined elements of one of 100 assigned “blocks” around New York with representations of Lesotho, the location of rise’s architectural project and beneficiary of the fundraiser.
All the artwork is available for auction at www.32auctions.com/ritc2017 So far 27 pieces have sold for a total of $15,000, and the event raised another $15,000 for the project through sponsorships and ticket sales.
Prominent judges Michael Sorkin, Jack Travis, Laura Starr, Suzanne Mecs, and Oliver Needs selected the top 10 pieces using specific guidelines.
The grand prizewinner was designer Abiy Dejene from architecture firm BOKA Powell, sponsored by TriPyramid Structures for his plaster relief sculpture Mother Lesotho. Abiy won a 10-day trip to Lesotho to participate in the in loco workshop, which will combine local talent and international expertise in a hands-on learning experience to construct a dormitory at the God’s Love Centre Orphanage in Lesotho.
Abiy was presented with a traditional Lesotho blanket and hat and says, “I feel very honored. I was not expecting to win I was just glad to be part of it. There were many really great arts and artists at the gallery. I want to give back for this good cause. By being part of the fundraising I wish to help inspire the Lesotho people and help build strong community though education, resources and the right opportunity to gain experience.” The runner-up was Beauty and the Beast by Audrey Matlock and Rohan Cherayil from architecture firm Audrey Matlock Architect sponsored by Oakheart.
Event highlights included remarks from His Excellency Mr. Kelebone Maope, Permanent Representative of the Kingdom of Lesotho to the United Nations, live African entertainment from Nigerian band Floxy Bee, and a cocktail reception with lots of networking and dancing.
Proceeds will go directly towards the construction costs of an orphanage called God’s Love Centre (GLC) in Lesotho, that is in desperate need of additional space for the children to sleep, eat and play. rise is co-founded by BOND Events as an integral part of its corporate social responsibility program.
The program’s social enterprise component will also establish an Entrepreneurship and Work Skills Development Program for the orphans, as well as build the management capacity of the GLC’s staff.
“We are thrilled with the success of our first rise in the city fundraiser. The feedback has been outstanding, and we are well on our way to our fundraising goal of $75,000. It takes a dedicated team to pull it all together, and I’m grateful to them, to the participants, and to the artists and sponsors who made it all possible.” says Daniela Gusman, Founder of rise.
Do you know where it is? It sits entirely within South Africa, but is its own country.
Do you know how to pronounce it? The “h” is silent.
Lesotho has the highest lowest point of any country in the world (4595 feet / 1400 meters). It’s only fitting that an organization named riseis working there. rise stands for Relationships Inspiring Social Enterprise.
New York City, on the other hand, is famous for its high-rise buildings.
The two places may have little in common, but they will bond in a most creative way on October 25. rise is holding a fabulous fundraiser for their programs in Lesotho, and 100% of the proceeds will go to the cause. Prominent architecture firms, designers and artists have created works of art representing one of 100 area “blocks” around the city. The art pieces blend elements of Lesotho culture with the vibe of the assigned NYC block.
The results are extraordinary, and they’re available for auction or immediate purchase online until 10 PM ET October 25. Or experience the bicultural excitement and submit your bid in person by attending the exhibit from 7 to 11 PM at the Angel Orensanz Foundation, 172 Norfolk St, New York, NY, 10002. Tickets must be purchased before 10/23 here
This is truly art with benefits. In addition to owning a unique work of art you’ll be contributing to rise’s inaugural project in Lesotho, cleverly constructed to yield multiple gifts of mojo.
Constructing Buildings…. and Businesses
The program seeks to build a much-needed accommodation facility at the God’s Love Centre Orphanage. (Currently 54 boys & girls sleep three-on-a -mattress in two matchbox-sized dormitory rooms.) The planning, design, and construction of the new facility will be executed by 20 recent graduates from local architecture and construction schools. It’s real-world experience that builds the capacity to build out the rest of the country.
Who will guide the freshly-minted architects and construction workers? A mix of local and international architects and tutors. In addition international architectural students will also have the opportunity to go to Lesotho and participate in topic-specific ten-day workshops. What an opportunity to exchange ideas, share knowledge and form international professional networks!.
But the win-win-win doesn’t stop there. Coming back to the orphans, what happens when they grow up and must live on their own? They need skills. rise has that covered, too. It will work with the God’s Love Centre to set up an Entrepreneurship and Work Skills Development Program. Through internships with local businesses and knowledge support from industry experts, the business and mentorship program will help develop the competencies and contacts needed to establish income-generating livelihoods. Plus the businesses have access to young talent trained by them.
Not only that, rise seeks to leverage the same training to help the orphanage improve its management skills and raise some of its own revenue. Add three more wins to the list.
As a business professional who passionately works with entrepreneurs in Africa and other developing regions, I’m all about this elegant synergistic approach. There isn’t nearly enough attention paid to providing business skills to micro-entrepreneurs in under resourced countries; it’s something I’ve been known to rant about. Helping people help themselves. Ya think?
So go get some amazing art that’s a lot more than eye candy. You win on that one.
The preliminary judging has taken place, and you wouldn’t envy the superstar judges who had to select the top ten pieces. The overall winner will be announced at the event and will receive the grand prize – a 10-day trip to Lesotho to take part in the international in loco workshop. Another win—for all the artists who have cumulatively donated more than 3000 hours of their valuable time to creating these masterpieces.
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Donna Rosa is an international business development services (BDS) consultant who provides business advisory, business planning, strategy development, training, and mentoring to microenterprises and small businesses in developing countries. After a long corporate career she now works in international development and has coined the term “aidtrepreneurship” as a way to develop economies through entrepreneurship. Donna feels that a passport is a terrible thing to waste. Find out more about her adventures at www.donnamrosa.com
rise is excited to announce its first big fundraising event: rise in the city, a fundraiser and art show dedicated to social entrepreneurs in Africa.
Social entrepreneurs are people who create businesses with the aim of solving social problems or effecting social change, typically within their local community, taking a community-led development approach to change and improvement.
Dedicating themselves to solving problems in their community, these inspirational entrepreneurs too often do not have access to the funding and skills they need to succeed. rise seeks to support social entrepreneurs and help them to fulfill their potential. rise envisions a world where sustainable social enterprises become the norm, and all funds raised through rise in the city will support this mission.
About rise in the city
rise in the city is a unique art event, featuring a competition, exhibit and auction. 500 influencers in architecture, design, and construction will come together to discover how architecture, combined with social enterprise, can solve poverty problems in Africa.
How It Works
Leading artists, designers and architects will create a work of art representing one of 100 blocks of New York City. 100 companies will have the opportunity to get involved by sponsoring one of those same New York City blocks.
At an exclusive event held on the evening of October 25th, 2017 at Angel Orensaz Foundation in Manhattan, attendees will have the opportunity to view all the incredible artworks and, best of all, the chance to own one for themselves through an exciting auction.
This initial project will provide new accommodation, study, and service facilities for the children at an overcrowded African orphanage in Lesotho, Southern Africa. In addition to providing better facilities for the orphans, funds will help rise to facilitate industry experts coming to the orphanage to provide training and mentoring. This training and mentoring will help the orphanage to become more self-sustaining by launching income-generating activities.
The project will follow the in loco “hands-on, bottom-up” approach. True to the rise ethos, the local community will be instrumental through this process.
Social entrepreneurs are making a difference in the lives of Africa’s most needy individuals and disadvantaged communities.
Throughout the African continent, social entrepreneurs are helping to enact change in the communities they serve by finding innovative solutions to many challenges which exist in the developing world. By building practical and sustainable organizations, social enterprise can bring together community stakeholders, groundbreaking technologies and new approaches to solving debilitating social problems.
In Africa, social entrepreneurs are helping to drive innovation and transformation in education, public health, environmental sustainability and business development. Many of these social enterprises are established as not-for-profit organizations or for-profit social enterprises.
African Social Entrepreneurs
Here is a small sampling of social entrepreneurs who are changing Africa for the better.
Neo Motantsi started God’s love Centre when her brother and his wife passed away leaving four children orphaned. Based in Lesotho, the south African orphanage currently provides a home to 57 children without families to care for them. The children range in age from one year to 20, and all attend either the local primary or secondary schools in the area.
God’s Love Centre is a 2017-2018 Program Partner with rise. Read more about the initiative and how we’re supporting God’s Love Centre in our programs section.
Future Vision Acrobat is a team of professional circus artists based in Gisenyi, Rwanda who train children aged 8 – 28 from vulnerable backgrounds to then perform nationally and internationally as a Circus group.
In 2005, Elisée Niyonsenga was an orphan living on the streets of Gisenyi, Rwanda. As he passed by a restaurant he saw a “Cirque du Soleil” performance on the TV and became fascinated with learning acrobatics. He learned to use artistic expression as a tool for positive change and a better future. He began training himself with the help of his friend and one year later decided to form an organization at the young age of 17.
The scope of Future Vision Acrobat is to help other children who just as Elisée live in difficult conditions, many of whom are orphans, refugees or street children, by giving them space to grow and a future to look forward to. Hence, the name: Future Vision Acrobat.
Youth for Technology Foundation was founded by Njideka Harry in 2001 in Nigeria. Youth for Technology works in regions significantly impacted by poverty and chronic unemployment, and in particular with youth and women. The Foundation’s Academy offers practical life and work skills needed to secure meaningful employment with the local companies that are members of the Foundations partner network.
Anza, a business incubator founded by Krupa Patel in Tanzania. The organization offers a variety of services to help launch, support and grow social enterprise businesses in Tanzania. Anza has offered support to over 100 entrepreneurs through mentorship and financing, in addition to supporting several in-house social businesses as spin-offs of Anza.
Ongoza teaches youth groups in Africa how to grow their businesses at the grassroots level, leveraging economic empowerment and community leadership as a path towards lasting peace. As recently as 2016, their organization has continued to support over 30 youth groups with plans to expand to 15 other countries.
rise Supports Social Entrepreneurs
While they may operate in different countries and different sectors, these social entrepreneurs all share a common approach – a passionate and steadfast belief that through innovative business approaches, change can be successful and sustainable on the African continent.
Social entrepreneurs are finding solutions through involvement with local communities and a global business network. Here at rise, we’re inspired and proud to be a part of this revolutionary movement that is making the world a better place!
Relationships Inspiring Social Enterprise (rise) believes in the importance of a world where sustainable social business, created by local social entrepreneurs residing in low-income countries, are provided with the resources, knowledge, and the professional community needed to be successful and transformational in their communities.
At rise, there are many ways individuals, organizations, and businesses can get involved with our mission of bringing social enterprise education and training to sub-Saharan Africa. Please visit our Volunteer with rise page to learn more.
