JABU BAGS- SOCIAL ENTERPRISE- HAPPINESS and EMPOWERMENT

Meet the Fabulously Beautiful...Talented.... Socially Conscious
 Megan Yarema!

(Pat 1 of 3- Jabu Bags)

I had the privilege of meeting Megan in Ottawa, Canada this past October.  One aspect of Megan is Program Manager, Canada Without Poverty, Vancouver Office.

The other aspect of Megan- social entrepreneur- Founder and Director of Jabu Bags- is the aspect I would like you to get to  know today.

Social Enterprise, Social business has long been a passion of mine.  While attending a Heritage Canada funding workshop in Fort Smith, NWT, Canada, I watched a short video clip that caused a seed to plant. Muhammad Yunis , Nobel Peace prize recipient, was featured in the clip. Those short minutes galvanized me to my seat- my mind was racing with excitment- oh, the possibilities! How can we do this in Canada?, I thought.  Social Business, - helping women who could not get money from the banks...I would do it here in a heartbeat- as soon as I get a few hundred thousands of cash!

A few months ago I sent an email to Rob Rainer, Director of Canada Without Poverty, about Mr. Yunis.  I wanted to know if Canada Without Poverty was exploring this avenue. Rob connected me with Megan.  While attending the Canada Without Poverty,  Poverty and Punchlines event on October 15, 2010, I put a bid in on a beautiful bag - Megan told me it was one of the bags from Jabu...  now our story unfolds:

A: Tell me about yourself Megan...

M: I am 31 one years old.  I have my Bachelors in Political Science and Masters in Human
    Security  and Peace Building.

A: How did you get to Swaizland?

M: I had to complete an Internship.  Africa was not even on my radar, however, that is where I 

    went.  Due to unrest in the area we moved on to the Kingdom of Swaziland.  I remained there

    for 6 weeks.

A: Tell me about the birth of Jabu Bags.

M: It is 2007. I had been in Uganda the previous spring.  I had a bag done while I was there.

     I had an inspiration- why not turn the bags into an income-generating business. A business

    that would provide sustainable income.  I wanted to see the money in the hands of the

    people-especially women- not the Non Government Agencies. 

    I founded Jabu bags with 2 groups of women, from 2 different areas- Kalanga and Velezizweni.

    We now have 16 women working for us.

A: Where did the financing come for Jabu?

M: I did not have any seed money- I used my own and then paid my self back as the revenue 

    grew.

A: You came back to Canada, then what?

M: I moved back to Canada 1 year after I started Jabu Bags.  I now have an Operations

    Manager who works 2 days a week.  It is a lot to ask for a part time position! I go back to
    Swaizland at least once or twice a year.

A: What are the next steps for Jabu?

M: We are now at a point in our growth that I need to have an investment of $50,000 so

     I can hire a full time program manager, purchase fabric and for program development.

A:  Who is out there for this time of lending/investing?

M: There are micro loans for $300.  I am also working on getting Fair Trade Status.

A: Could you explain what Fair Trade Status is?

M: You must be in business for 2 years or more.  You also must meet the 10  

     World Fair Trade Organization Fair Trade Principles.  And you have to have proper working

     conditions.  We have a new community centre that has much better working conditions for

     the women.

A:  How do you market Jabu Bags?

M:  Mostly in the USA, Canada- Toronto, Vancouver, social media, our website and home parties.

 A:  The bags are beautiful!  Please tell me how they are made- there must be some

      challenges- are you a seamstress?

M: (she laughs)  No, I am not a seamstress!  The sewing is all done by hand and with hand

     cranked sewing machines.  The fabric is purchased in the local market of Manzini, Swaziland.

     Currently we make 3 styles- Jabu, Doron and Wine Bags.  You have the Jabu bag.  The

     Doron is more like a purse.  It has doweling to support it and a hand made clay button.

A:  And Sales?

M:  Over 4,000 bags sold in over 4 countries of the world.

A:  Congratulations! that is an average of about 250 bags per woman over three years...83 a 

     year each- I can barely get one small baby quilt done in a year!

A:  Next Steps?

M:  We need to go to the next steps.  I want to connect with distributors and take this business

     to the next level.  To do this, I need to connect with the right people the right funding.

A:  Well, I am going to do everything I can to help you...starting with a home party!  Can't

     wait for the bags to arrive!

For the readers- who do you know?

     Please pass this on to your networks!

    

     I salute you Megan Yarema!  All the blessings and success!

Imagine...

One Woman- Unlimited Woman

Some seed money

An idea

Growth of a sustainable business....

Imagine...

What you could do...

One person CAN change the world.

Love and all good things!

The Peaceful Matriarch

(Any errors are mine alone! )

Permissions and contact:

1. Pictures courtesy of Megan Yarema.

2. To reach Megan, contact her at info@jabubags.com

3. Outlets:



Canada

Soul Sister - Thunder Bay, Ontario

Barefoot Contessa - Vancouver, BC

Miranda's Hat - Vancouver, BC

Dream - Vancouver, BC

Militant Penguin - Vancouver, BC

Buggerbees - Salmon Arm, BC