As the founder of SHIFT Enterprise Academy, I've met a lot of inspiring people, but few have left as deep an impression as Guilaine Bayubasire. Her story is a testament to resilience, courage, and the unwavering strength of the human spirit. Guilaine is originally from the Democratic Republic of Congo, and like so many others, she was forced to flee her home with her family due to political turmoil. As the eldest, Guilaine took it upon herself to help her parents start fresh in Uganda—a country where she didn't speak the language or have any connections. Three years later, not only has she learned Luganda well enough to communicate, but she has also become a thriving entrepreneur, using her skills to support other women in similar situations.
Guilaine joined SHIFT in April 2023 as a member of our fourth East African cohort. She regularly attended our "Launching into E-Commerce" program, an initiative I developed to equip young entrepreneurs with skills to navigate the digital economy. Through this program, we teach our five key SHIFT pillars: Save Your Money, Help Your Family, Imagine Your Goals, Follow Directions, and Think Accurately. Each pillar is designed to foster resilience and ambition, traits Guilaine embodies deeply. Before joining SHIFT, she was struggling to gain traction in her business, WoSWIFT, which provides training and income opportunities for refugee women through crocheting.
When I met Guilaine in person a few weeks after her training, I learned about her journey firsthand. She shared her story with such grace and positivity despite all the hardship she has faced. She’s not just a businesswoman; she’s a mother, an older sister, a provider, and a teacher, who is empowering women around her to take control of their lives through the art of crocheting. Listening to her, I felt the weight of the work we do at SHIFT in a new way. Her story revealed to me just how much bigger this mission is than I had ever imagined.
That day, we connected WoSWIFT with other women-led ventures within the SHIFT ecosystem. This small connection gave her the momentum she needed to expand her reach. With the help of her siblings, who now live in the U.S. after being resettled through a refugee program, she’s opened her own storefront in Uganda, thanks to her brother’s investment. WoSWIFT has since evolved into a dynamic brand, featuring a collection of handmade bags, backpacks, totes, and even dresses, all crafted with exceptional skill and heart.
Guilaine is a master craftswoman, not out of a love for crocheting alone, but because it has become a lifeline for her and her community. She talks about crocheting as a positive force in her life—something that keeps her grounded and focused on the future despite the obstacles she faces every day. And I know that, with the right support, she could take WoSWIFT to new heights. While her bags currently sell for $20-$30 in Uganda, they hold the potential to command a much higher price in a luxury market abroad, where their unique story, quality, and connection to Africa could easily elevate them to $100+ per piece.
If you’re inspired by Guilaine's journey, I invite you to explore the WoSWIFT collection in the SHIFT store. Every bag purchased on our platform directly supports this remarkable, youth-led, woman-led, and refugee-led venture. By supporting WoSWIFT, you’re not just buying a product; you’re investing in a story of resilience, survival, and hope. Guilaine's journey is one of peaks and valleys, highs and lows—a story that continues to unfold toward a vision of sustained growth and prosperity.
Above is a short video we did the day I met Guilaine. I had to ensure her story is one I can share across the globe.
Learning Guilaine’s story was a turning point for me.
It opened my eyes to the reality faced by Uganda’s refugee population, many of whom come from recently conflict influenced regions in the DRC, South Sudan, and Somalia.
Uganda hosts the highest number of refugees of any country in Africa. Each individual brings with them an opportunity for a positive economic mobility story of courage, loss, and determination.
At SHIFT, we’re committed to expanding our footprint within the refugee community, and partnering with people like Guilaine is a privilege. We look forward to a future where WoSWIFT and many other ventures led by our SHIFT Enterprisers can flourish, paving the way for a brighter tomorrow.
Make a Difference Through SHIFT: Purchase, Share, or Support WoSWIFT’s Vision for Refugee Empowerment
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