Mbumwae Suba-Smith, founder of the Subayo Foundation for Women and Children, discussed the foundation and her role in changing the lives of African women and children on April 13 at Hamilton. She explained that the Subayo Foundation for Women and Children in Africa is a Non -Governmental Organization (NGO) that primarily works in Ghana, but is present in other African nations, including Zambia. The foundation finds teachers within communities to provide literacy, health and business classes. With a focus on self-reliance, women are trained in fields such as farming, banking, literacy, and tie-dye. In Suba-Smith's words, the goal of the foundation is "to empower women to make a difference in their lives."
Suba-Smith then engaged in a question and answer session with event coordinator Greg Schwedock. The main topics discussed were the role that women play in the Subayo Foundation and the inner-workings of the organization. Suba-Smith answered these questions by asserting that, in Africa, women play an integral role in the community by caring for husbands, children and elderly while also maintaining the household. The Subayo Foundation empowers these women to care for each of these aspects of life while at the same time developing economic independency. The foundation does this by giving seed money to groups of women responsible for embarking on projects, in which they can gain and keep profit. Suba-Smith calls this the "Circle of Success", a micro-financing system in which the revenue gained from newly-formed businesses is reinvested in more training to build additional businesses.
Suba-Smith concluded the discussion by showing examples of the products made by women involved in the Subayo Foundation, including tie-dyed cloth, woven kente, soaps and lotions. She also mentioned that volunteers for the Subayo Foundation are not limited to those living in Africa, and anyone with an interest can become involved.
-- by Danielle Raulli '10
Suba-Smith then engaged in a question and answer session with event coordinator Greg Schwedock. The main topics discussed were the role that women play in the Subayo Foundation and the inner-workings of the organization. Suba-Smith answered these questions by asserting that, in Africa, women play an integral role in the community by caring for husbands, children and elderly while also maintaining the household. The Subayo Foundation empowers these women to care for each of these aspects of life while at the same time developing economic independency. The foundation does this by giving seed money to groups of women responsible for embarking on projects, in which they can gain and keep profit. Suba-Smith calls this the "Circle of Success", a micro-financing system in which the revenue gained from newly-formed businesses is reinvested in more training to build additional businesses.
Suba-Smith concluded the discussion by showing examples of the products made by women involved in the Subayo Foundation, including tie-dyed cloth, woven kente, soaps and lotions. She also mentioned that volunteers for the Subayo Foundation are not limited to those living in Africa, and anyone with an interest can become involved.
-- by Danielle Raulli '10
