Street Business School Graduation

Our recent trip to Uganda was first and foremost a way to support Street Business School and the hardworking graduates who have overcome huge barriers to boost their lives, and that of their families, and their communities.

Street Business School is on a mission to end global poverty and focuses on empowering the growth and sustaining the most economically marginalized groups in starting and growing their businesses. The school utilizes the ripple effect by working with local partners to teach and train the students. Currently, Street Business School finds that more than 80% of their graduates start a business within a year, and their household incomes are increased by an average of 128 %. These numbers give us a clear and measurable way to see clearly just how much Street Business School is changing lives. 

The impact left by Street Business School is felt by the community as a whole. Communities that have received SBS training register reduction on Inter-partner Violence, boost economic activities, and enhance growth and development.

The Graduation Ceremony:

The ceremony itself was full of so much infectious joy and celebration, truly a coming together of several different groups to celebrate their huge achievement, despite so many barriers. 

Graduates arrived full of excitement as they registered for their hats and t-shirts. With an entire marching band to help celebrate, we all marched the streets of the nearby community where women, children, and men all came out to watch the celebration. This act alone felt like a ripple effect itself, allowing others to see the opportunities that are out there. 

The ceremony site had dancing, incredible success stories shared, and a marathon of speeches, a testament to the outpouring of love and support for the graduating class. Every witness to the event stepped up to share their love and support. 

The Impact of Street Business School:

The Street Business School Curriculum consists of 8 practical modules delivered in the local community by the community trainers certified through Street Business School.

The Modules include the following;

 1: Getting out of your comfort zone

2: Business opportunity identification

3: Finding capital and starting small

4: Recordkeeping and bookkeeping

5: Market research

6: Business planning

7: Growing your customer base

8: Money management-

These modules are supported with propriety and proven 1-on-1 Coaching methodology to help entrepreneurs build confidence. The Curriculum is designed to support the most economically marginalized groups, many of whom cannot read or write,

We were so lucky to hear firsthand accounts from the graduates on already growing and in some cases even thriving businesses at the graduation. Each story is completely unique and it is amazing to see how Street Business School’s model can work for so many different people. You can read firsthand accounts on how students lives have changed on the Street Business School Blog.

Bringing awareness for domestic violence and empowerment:

This year, the Empower and Shine team gifted each graduate with umbrellas for market booths as well as pens and journals. These journals included the domestic violence wheel (LINK) as well as our empowerment flowers (link). These journals offer a safe space for graduates to process their experiences, set goals, and cultivate resilience. We hope the graduates know that they are not alone and can feel supported every time they turn to their journals. 

It’s safe to say that witnessing and being a part of this powerful event will stick with our team forever. Seeing the confidence and stories of the graduates was inspiring and a wonderful reminder that education is one of the most powerful tools to transform lives.