1000 Shillings - A project of hope for impoverished women

On a breezy Saturday, BYU-Hawaii students gathered to learn how to support impoverished women in Uganda and Nepal with 1000 Shillings, a non-profited organization started by BYU-H alumn, in Mckay Foyer on March 30.

1000 Shillings became the name of the company based on the amount of money that the average woman in the Namatala slum lives on per day – approximately 1,000 Ugandan Shillings (US$.40). While it caused 2000 Shillings to buy a can of soda in Africa, 1000 Shillings goals to empower impoverished women artisans around the world by giving their products an international market, a platform for the women to tell their stories, and seed capital for the women to start their own businesses.

Anthony Noble, a political science senior from Washington as well as the “One” president, said he would like to see how other humanitarian organizations do to help people all over the world. He said, “I also served mission in Africa and I expect to hear to learn a lot from 1000 Shillings.”

The event was started with an introduction of 1000 Shillings with its purpose and mission. The host Seth Young is a peacebuilding junior from Arizona. His sister is Alexis Young, one of the co-founder of 1000 Shillings and alumni of BYU-H. “Raising awareness is my full purpose and to help my sister and the women in Africa and Nepal by spreading the word about 1000 Shillings,” said Young.

Young showed videos with the testimonies of the women in Africa and Nepal that 1000 Shillings are currently helping to be independent and self-reliant. One African woman Esther, who was formerly a farmer, said she used to earn 500 Shillings (US$0.20) a day. 1000 Shillings taught her how to make jewelry and sell it overseas. She appreciated 1000 Shillings and said, “Now I can eat breakfast with my family. Thank you,” said Esther.

A Nepal woman Saili also gave thank to 1000 Shillings. Saili was one of the victims of sex trafficking. She was sold as a sex worker when she was 16 and found in a recovery home by 1000 Shillings when she was 21. Now she learned how to sew and make jewelries to provide for her son.

Showing guests the jewelers and other products made by these women of 1000 Shillings, Young invited guests to consider buying the products as the end of the events. “Think of the stories of each product,” Young said and picked up a necklace. “It is worthy cost to help women and their family. It is about supporting women and building peace. Peace if harder to achieve if people’s basis human need is not achieved.”

Seeley Dopp, a peacebuilding junior from Idaho, said, “There are so many non-profit organizations for Africa but not the U.S. We have sex trafficking here too. Maybe we can lern from 1000 Shillings to do something to help the women in need,” she said. 

For more info on 1000 Shillings go to their website: www.1000shillings.com

Clover Cheng