WHAT MAKES ARAKELE A SOCIAL ENTERPRISE?

We provide scholarship training through Arakele, including refugees ((Ethiopia is Africa’s largest host of refugees) from neighbouring countries such as Somalia and Eritrea, women rescued from trafficking and abuse and IDP (internally displaced persons) affected by civil war as well as case by case students who yearn to learn but lack the resources and women from other vulnerable backgrounds.

What sets Arakele apart is our own sponsorship of students and providing discounted tuition. In addition, we partner with local and international organisations that also sponsor students through Arakele.

Arakele offers tuition to fee paying students as one way to keep Arakele sustainable (pay for staff salaries, school running costs and machine maintenance). Upon course completion and graduation we endeavor to link graduates with employment. After graduation some students go on to work for companies that they have spent time with – as part of work experience through Arakele. Students also intern with Arakele.

The pressure Ethiopian girls face these days is not being unable to attend school – it is that more often they can not finish school. Girls face many more obstacles in completing their education than boys. And yet without that school leaving certificate, they are unable to pursue higher education or suitable employment that can pay a decent wage.

We are pleased to help talented women in Ethiopia to secure skills in the niche market of sewing and fashion design that will put them on a path to sustainable employment within the expanding Ethiopian textile sector…

Social Impact Products

In 2020-2021 during the global pandemic , Arakele was able to keep all its employees actively engaged when classes had to stop with production of reusable face masks and hospital gowns. We were able to both donate and sell these items.

In 2022 we reacted to a need for girls to receive reusable sanitary pads and began mass production and distribution to school girls in need. 4 pads in one recycled fabric bag. We also produce pencil cases for primary school students to give them a head start.