L AY I N G T H E
GROUNDWORK FOR SCALE AKOLA PROJECT “She Works” UGANDA / DALLAS ANNUAL REPORT 2014
L AY I N G T H E
GROUNDWORK FOR SCALE
AKOLA PROJECT “She Works” UGANDA / DALLAS
ANNUAL REPORT 2014
AKOLA
INTRODUCTION Ak o l a P ro j e c t e m powers women to become agents o f t r a n s f o r m a t i o n in their children, family members a nd c o m m u n it ie s t hroug h economic d evelop ment.
AKOLA 2014 ANNUAL REPORT
A K O L A : ( v. ) S H E W O R K S Akola is a non-profit with a mission related jewelry business that invests in women in extreme poverty to become agents of transformation in their families and communities.
L AY I N G T H E G R O U N D W O R K {LETTER FROM FOUNDER} The Akola journey began with a 10 minute meeting that changed my life. In 2004, I met Sarah, a Ugandan woman who gave up everything she had to care for 24 orphaned c h i l d r e n w h o s l e p t o n h e r f l o o r. I m o v e d t o U g a n d a i n 2 0 0 6 to oversee the construction of an orphanage home for her l o c a l m i n i s t r y. A p a r t n e r s h i p t h a t b e g a n a s a m i s s i o n t o care for orphaned children has now turned into a project that sustainably uplifts the lives of hundreds of women and thousands of children in Uganda and the US. The Akola model is designed to holistically and sustainably improve the lives of women and children l i v i n g i n e x t r e m e p o v e r t y. T h a n k s t o i n c r e d i b l e e f f o r t s f r o m our teams in Uganda and Dallas, Akola is poised to grow o u r i m p a c t s i g n i f i c a n t l y i n 2 0 1 5 . We s p e n t t h e m a j o r i t y o f 2014 laying the groundwork to scale Akola’s programs and product line. During this time, we expanded our project to Dallas through a partnership with New Friends, New Life to offer an economic alternative to victims of sex trafficking by providing training and employment opportunities a t o u r D a l l a s d i s t r i b u t i o n c e n t e r. I am excited to share our model that has become a platform to encourage social business to achieve the highest level of social impact. Our goal is to encourage new thinking about international development and to inspire the next generation of social innovators. T h a n k y o u f o r j o i n i n g u s o n t h i s j o u r n e y. I t h a s t r u l y m a d e all the difference! Blessings, Brittany Merrill Underwood Founder & President
AKOLA 2014 ANNUAL REPORT
W H AT W E D O UGANDA / DALLAS
Akola Project is a non-profit with a mission-driven jewelry business that invests in women living in extreme poverty so they can elevate the well-being of their children and community dependants.
P a pe r B e ad Co l l e cti o n wi thi n Akola Voc at ion al C en t er of Buwala Vill a ge
AKOLA 2014 ANNUAL REPORT
100% AKOLA PRODUCT SALES 100% of Akola’s earned income from product sales is reinvested in our social mission to empower women through training & employment oportunities
No. 1
No. 2
TRAINING Akola trains women in remote villages in Eastern & Northern Uganda as well as poverty stricken regions of Dallas who have little education and no artisan experience to make products that sell in the global marketplace.
E MP L OYME NT Akola economically empowers these women by offering them a reliable work opportunity and a fair wage so they can free themselves and their children from the devastating cycle of poverty and marginalization.
AKOLA EARNED INCOME
100% A K O L A D O N AT I O N S 100% of donations to Akola fund our holistic programming and community development projects
No. 3
No. 4
HOLI S T I C P R O G R A M S
COMMUNI T Y DE VE L OPMEN T
Akola provides holistic programs that include health, education, business, savings, loans, ministry, and wellness to over 250 women and their dependents.
Akola invests in community development by building infrastructure for economic opportunity including ‘Akola Academy’ training centers and water wells.
A K O L A D O N AT I O N S
OUR DESIRE TO UPLIFT THE MOST MARGINALIZED WOMEN IN THE WORLD
Akola is committed to empowering women in extreme poverty who do not have access to education, vocational training or dependable employment opportunities.
A C R O SS T HE GL O B E U G ANDA / DAL L AS
DALLAS || Akola trains and employs women in South and West Dallas who have been sexually trafficked, live in poverty and do not have access to viable work oportunities. UGANDA || Akola trains, employs and holistically empowers women living in rural poverty who have been widowed by the HIV-Aids crisis and displaced by 20 years of civil war.
W H AT W E D O
IN THE FIELD
AKOLA UGANDA 1 0 Y E A R S O F T R A N S F O R M AT I O N Akola employs an integrated solution to poverty that equips women to become stronger caretakers, business entrepreneurs, and spiritual leaders within their families and local communties A K O L A 2 0 1 4 A N N U A L R E P O RT
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No. 2
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No. 5
AKOLA MODEL Akola Project is a non-profit with a mission related enterprise that weaves together best practices in economic development, education, business and ministry to create a sustainable and holistic impact in impoverished communities.
AKOLA MODEL No. 1
I N F R A S T R U C T U R E F O R E C O N O M I C O P P O RT U N I T Y D rilling C lean Wa te r We lls x 23 Building â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Akola Academyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; training centers x 2
No. 2
V O C AT I O N A L T R A I N I N G Training women who lack educational or vocational trainin g to m ake products tha t se ll in the globa l ma r ke tpla c e .
No. 3
FA S H I O N A B L E P R O D U C T S Accessories mad e by women in the Akola project are sold i n over 350 boutiques and a national department store.
No. 4
DEPENDABLE EMPLOYMENT 100% of profits from Akola products are reinvested into t h e project to provide dependable employment for women i n poverty so they can provide the basic needs for their child a n d elderly dependen ts.
No. 5
HOLISTIC PROGRAMS Akola provides holistic programs for its beneficiaries in t h e areas of health, f ina nc e , ministr y a nd we llne ss.
No. 6
L A S T I N G S U S TA I N A B I L I T Y Akola income and holistic training equips women to laun c h local
business
and
learn
life
skills
that
sustainability for ge ne r a tions to c ome .
IN THE FIELD - AKOLA UGANDA
create
lasti n g
2014 AKOLA UGANDA
5 VI L L A G E S R E A C H E D
212 W O M E N E C O N O M I C A L LY E M P O W E R E D
1,470 C HI L DR E N WIT H A CC E S S TO S C HOOL FE E S, M E D IC A L C A R E , & F O O D
500 NUMB E R O F E L D E R LY C O M M U N I T Y ME MB E RS U P L IF T E D
IN THE FIELD - AKOLA UGANDA
X9 ON E WOMA N TRANS F OR M S NIN E LIVE S MULTIPLIER EFFECT: Every woman that is trained
and economically empowered through the Akola Project is able to provide the basic needs for an average of 7 children and 2 elderly dependents living in extreme poverty.
11 Children + 15 Orphans I n s o me cases, Akola women use their revenue to care for up to 11 b iologi cal chi l d re n and u p t o 15 orph an ed c h ildren in t h eir h omes.
IN THE FIELD - AKOLA UGANDA
98%
OF AKOLA WOMEN
ARE ABLE TO MEET THE BASIC NEEDS OF ALL THEIR DEPENDANTS
IN THE FIELD - AKOLA UGANDA
AKOLA WOMEN
BASIC NEEDS BEFORE AKOLA
64% of women could meet the basic needs of their families
â&#x20AC;&#x2DC; AKOLA MEMBERS
98% of Akola members can provide food, water & shelter for their families.
PERCENT OF AKOLA WOMEN WHO CAN MEET THE BASIC NEEDS OF THEIR HOUSEHOLD
64%
98%
BEFORE AKOLA
THIS IS A
AKOLA MEMBERS
3 4 % INCREASE
ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT - AKOLA UGANDA
ACCESS TO
E D U C AT I O N
- 93% of Akola women use their wages to send 7+ children to school.
G E N E R AT I O N A L R I P P L E E F F E C T
L I F T I N G FA M I L I E S F R O M T H E C Y C L E O F P O V E RT Y
ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT - AKOLA UGANDA
INDIVIDUAL
H E A LT H C A R E BEFORE AKOLA
67% of women could afford health care
AKOLA MEMBERS
100% of women in the Akola Project can afford healthcare
I N D I V I D U A L H E A LT H C A R E BEFORE AKOLA AKOLA MEMBERS
67%
100%
Through Akola health s e m i n a r s a n d a d e p e n d a b l e s a l a ry, 100% of Akola women a re a b l e a c c e s s m a t e r n a l c a re a n d healthcare for themselv e s .
ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT - AKOLA UGANDA
DEPENDENT
H E A LT H C A R E BEFORE AKOLA
64% of women could afford health care for their dependents
AKOLA MEMBERS
97% of women can afford health care for their dependents
I N D I V I D U A L H E A LT H C A R E
BEFORE AKOLA AKOLA MEMBERS
100%
67%
D E P E N D E N T H E A LT H C A R E BEFORE AKOLA
97%
AKOLA MEMBERS
64%
ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT - AKOLA UGANDA
ECONOMIC
EMPOWERMENT GIVING OPPORTUNITY - NOT HANDOUTS ANNUAL REPORT 2014
- 212 WOMEN ECONOMICALLY EMPOWERED In 2014, we offered economic employment and holistic services to 212 women in 5 rural Ugandan villages.
84%
OF AKOLA WOMEN
A R E T H E S O L E P R O V I D E R S & C A R E - TA K E R S O F T H E I R HOUSEHOLD AND CHILD DEPENDENTS
IN THE FIELD - AKOLA UGANDA
B E N E F I C I A RY
EMPLOYMENT Part-Time Beneficiary Employment: Women who choose to work part-time at Akola split their time between working on their farms and rolling beads or weaving mats. Akola’s mat weaving program is located in northern Uganda and Akola’s paper bead rollers reside in Eastern Uganda. Since joining Akola, 96.9% of part-time paper bead rollers and 100% of part-time mat weavers have been able to meet the basic needs for their 9+ dependents including school fees, health care, clean water, food and shelter.
Full-Time Beneficiary Employment: Akola’s full-time jewelry producers work from 9 to 5 in Eastern Uganda and are on salary. These women assemble Akola jewelry made with beads handcrafted by Akola women in the village. Since joining Akola, 100% of full-time jewelry producers have been able to meet the basic needs for themselves and their dependents. What’s more, 98.2% of these women have been able to save a portion of their income each month to provide for their families and start local businesses in their communities.
Leadership Positions: During their time with Akola, there are a handful of women why have demonstrated excellence in their work & strong leadership. As they recognize and embrace their potential, we provide the tools necessary for them to grow and realize their dreams. Akola views leadership development as key to sustainable empowerment and the transformation of a community. Akola full-time leadership positions include:
Ministry & Wellness Officers-
6
1 1
Production ManagerInventory Assistant-
Production Supervis o r s -
5
ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT - AKOLA UGANDA
AKOLA WOMEN
F I N A N C I A L S AV I N G S BEFORE AKOLA
17% knew to save their monthly income
AKOLA MEMBERS
98% of Akola-trained women save their monthly income for emergencies, special needs and to invest in local business opportunities
THIS IS AN
8 1 % INCREASE
ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT - AKOLA UGANDA
TRANSFORMING COMMUNITIES
G E N E R AT I O N A L R I P P L E E F F E C T Akola is creating a ripple effect where women who are empowered and have access to capital are transforming entire communities.
Akola works primarily in rural villages that are barter societies, cut off from the global economy. Whole communities are transformed and impacted when 212 women use their earned income to pay school fees, purchase products from local businesses, and save for the future.
ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT - AKOLA UGANDA
HOLISTIC DEVELOPMENT
AKOLA ACADEMY AKOLA PROJECT UGANDA / DALLAS A N N U A L R E P O RT 2 0 1 4
H E A LT H HIV/AIDS COUNSELING & TESTING Akola Project partners with the Aids Information Center in Jinja to provide HIV-AIDS testing and counseling to all Akola members in Eastern Uganda. AIC counselors meet with each member and for those who test positive, the counselors offer emotional support as well as practical information about where the member can receive free treatment. MALAR IA T E S T I N G Akola Project partners with the AIC to host â&#x20AC;&#x153;Lunch and Learnâ&#x20AC;? seminars where the AIC gives talks on malaria. Akola also sponsors free malaria blood tests. T U B E R C U LO S I S E D U CAT I O N Akola Project partners with the AIC to launch informational seminars on the dangers of TB. TB has particular relevance for our members because those at the highest risk for TB are babies and young children who are HIV positive. The seminar shares about the types, symptoms, treatment and prevention of TB. VISION MAINTENANCE Akola provides free vision tests & provides reading glasses for women in the program. FAM I LY P LAN N I N G & MAT E R NAL H EALT H S E M I NAR Akola partners with the Uganda Village Project to offer our members in Eastern Uganda programs on family planning and maternal health. The programs cover the importance of family planning, myths and misconceptions and presents healthy family planning methods.
HOLISTIC DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS
F INANC E BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT
hindering our membersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; ability to translate their increased access to capital and their increased sense of self into small business initiatives in their communities. Each year topics are chosen based on an analysis of the goals our members have chosen to ensure that our programming best supports their growth in the areas they have selected. Examples of small business programming might be how to assess if there is a market for your product, how to calculate when you project to earn back your initial investment, how to keep records as well as components of customer service and smallscale marketing. Through these programs, women learn the process of goal setting and planning, which will enable each member to take ownership of her own development.
FINACIAL LITERACY
to meet their goals. Our courses include wants vs. needs, income vs. expenditures, and discussions
to savings to savings with interest. We have interactive activities to allow our members to practice balancing a budget and to determine the viability of a hypothetical business and to analyze what types of growth capital are appropriate for different opportunities.
AKOLA UGANDA
MINISTRY V I L LAG E F E L L O W S H I P Village Fellowship is a small group program with the goal of creating space for members to grapple more deeply with the word of God. Each member has the opportunity to meet once a month with her small group. Village Fellowship is a place to identify and cultivate strong leaders in our village programs. *During Village Fellowship members have asked each other “How can we know God?” and “What about us shows that we are made in the image of God?”
SCRIPTURE SEARCH Akola incorporates World Vision’s Scripture Search model to encourage participants to share their experiences as they relate to a particular verse or passage. As the women grow more comfortable with engaging directly with scripture, they are able to identify ways in which individual verses apply directly to their everyday lives. This activity encourages interfaith dialogue between Akola members who come from both Christian and Muslim contexts.
WEL L N ES S
WELLNESS Akola promotes women in the program to become wellness officers to support fellow Akola members in times of loss by attending funerals, births and weddings. Wellness Officers also visit very sick members to offer practical and spiritual support.
HOLISTIC DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS - AKOLA UGANDA
AKOLA WOMEN
A G E N T S O F T R A N S F O R M AT I O N At Akola, social impact far transcends economic outcomes. Akola employs a holistic development model that empowers women to experience personal transformation that leads them to become agents of transformation for their children & within their communities.
E C ONO M IC E M P O WE R M E N T
PE R SON A L T R A N S F O R M AT IO N
C OMMU N IT Y T R A N S F O R M AT IO N
R E SUR G E N C E O F H O P E
CYCLE OF
T R A N S F O R M AT I O N
PRIOR TO WORKING FOR AKOLA IN UG
T H E M OFULL D ETIME L MEMBERS W O ROFK S IN UG AKOLA
66%
72
70% 60%
58 %
PROVIDER
ENTERPRISING
provider
enterprising
THANKFUL
appreciative
HAPPY
happy
INDEPE
indepe
Before working at Akola, women perceived themselves as fearful, hopeless and vulnerable. Now as empowered members of Akola, the women describe themselves as a provider, appreciative, and Annual Goal Setting: Each year Akola wome independent.
establish a strategy for achieving it. Women quarterly reviews and applicable education p seminars.
GANDA
GANDA
100%
100%
100%
2%
51%
27%
11%
ENDENT COMMUNITY
endent
community
HOPEFUL
hopeless
LESS VULNERABLE LESS FEARFUL
vulnerable
abuse / fear
P RIOR TO WOR KI NG FOR AKOLA UGANDA M EM BERS OF A KOLA UGANDA
en define a personal development goal and n are supported in their goal pursuit through programs such as small business management
â&#x20AC;&#x153; T h a t p e o p l e w o u l d c a re e n o u g h
as beautiful as this one gives us hop
for our village to build a center
p e . We c a n c a r e f o r o u r v i l l a g e t o o . â&#x20AC;? Buwala Neighbor
IN THE FIELD
AKOLA DALLAS
AKOLA PROJECT UGANDA / DALLAS A N N U A L R E P O RT 2 0 1 4
Akola expanded its reach to Dallas, Texas in 2014 through a partnership with New Friends, New Life to offer economic opportunity for women rehabilitated from the sex trafficking industry.
IN THE FIELD - AKOLA DALLAS
ECONOMIC
EMPOWERMENT AKOLA PROJECT UGANDA / DALLAS A N N U A L R E P O RT 2 0 1 4
B E N E F I C I A RY I N T E R N S H I P Through a partnership with New Friends, New Life, Akola offers job opportunities and professional development during a 3 month internship where women are trained in customer service, inventory management, and buisiness development. They are supervised and counseled to ensure they achieve their daily goals.
ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT - AKOLA DALLAS
B E N E F I C I A RY E M P L O Y M E N T Upon graduation from the 3 month internships, women can apply for a year long fellowship working as a Fulfillment Specialist. During their fellowship, they are challenged to meet expectations, brainstorm/implement solutions in the workplace, and manage customer service for wholesale and retail customers.
ANNUAL REPORT - AKOLA DALLAS
UGANDA /DALLAS
SOCIAL BUSINESS REPORT As a non-profit 100% of Akola product sales are reinvested in our social mission to economically empower women around the world. A N N U A L R E P O RT 2 0 1 4
- SALES INCREASE BY 50% In 2014, Akola product sales grew significantly thanks to loyal customers, boutiques and advocates. Akola grew its boutique footprint, increased its on-line commerce and expanded its presence in Dallas with the launch of the Akola Flagship store - the first Akola-branded retail store.
A K O L A J E W E L R Y I S M A D E B Y A N D F U L LY B E N E F I T S W O M E N I N P O V E RT Y
AKOLA SOCIAL BUSINESS
AKOLA PRODUCTS A K O L A P R O J E C T. O R G
AKOLA PROJECT - UGANDA / DALLAS A N N U A L R E P O RT 2 0 1 4
AKOLA COLLECTIONS No. 1
PA P E R B E A D
HAND-ROLLED Meticulously hand-rolled, each paper bead can take up to 10 minutes to finish. The hand-rolling of Akola beads alone offers employment to over 200 women in rural Uganda. The collection is offered 13 color ways per season.
No. 2
ANKOLE HORN
E T H I C A L LY P R O D U C E D The ankole cow of Uganda is a primary f o o d s o u r c e i n A k o l a â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s p a r t n e r v i l l a g e s . Rather than let the horns be discarded, women in the Akola Projet assemble the horn that is hand-carved into beautiful necklaces and bracelets.
No. 3
AFRICAN GLASS
K E N YA N G L A S S Captivating sea glass beads are found in Kenya and are brought back to Akol a â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s v o c a t i o n a l t r a i n i n g c e n t e r s w h e r e t h e women assemble them to create necklaces and bracelets.
No. 4
E T H I O P I A N M E TA L S
HAND-CAST Hand-cast by Ethiopian artisans from f o r m e r a r t i l l e r y s h e l l s , A k o l a â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s m e t a l beads are beautiful stories of redemption. Hand-assembled in Uganda, these pieces represent the creation of beauty and hope.
No. 5
TEXTILES
H A N D - C R A F T E D F R O M S C R AT C H Every aspect of Akola textiles are marked by the hand of an Akola woman. From braided boning to stitch-finishings, our textile program provides vocational training, stable employment and transformational empowerment.
Y EA R E ND DE CE MB E R 31, 2014
1,904,425 PA P E R B E A D S R O L L E D
16,056 U N I T S PRODUCED
212 W O M E N E MP L O Y E D
D E M I f r o m A K O L A’ S PA P E R C O L L E C T I O N
PRODUCT COLLECTIONS - AKOLA UGANDA/DALLAS
PRODUCT SALES A K O L A P R O J E C T. O R G
AKOLA PROJECT UGANDA / DALLAS A N N U A L R E P O RT 2 0 1 4
PERCENT BREAKOUT BY
DISTRIBUTION CHANNEL
W H O L E S AL E
61%
O NL I N E
13%
R E TA I L
T R U NK S HO W
9% 17%
elizabeth W located in Carmel, CA Retailer of Akola
AKOLA SOCIAL BUSINESS
BOUTIQUE PROFILES
S TAN L E Y KORS HAK
ADELAI D E ’ S B O U T I Q
DALLAS, TX
HOUS TON, TX
The s t o r e f a m i l y a t S t a n l e y K o rshak is proud of our lega c y a s a n i n d e p e n d e n t D a l l as specialty emporium that p a m p e r s c u s t o m e r s w i t h l avish service and a sele c t i o n o f t h e b e s t , h i g h e s t q uality merchandise in t he wo rl d .
“Our store will be 7 years loving every minute of bei jewelry lines we carry inc & A ni, M ariana, Brighton tions. We love Akola becau all the other lines we carr we are helping provide for world from us! By carryin serving Christ and sharin customers. We love telling brand! Thank you for allo We l o v e i t!” -Judy
“Th e A k o l a P ro j e c t h o l d s a s p ecial place in my hea r t a s B r i t t a n y i s a d e a r f r i e nd and I have the pri v i l e g e o f s e r v i n g o n t h e A k ola A dvisory B oard. I pers o n a l l y l o v e t h e v i b r a n t c o l ors particularly in the P a p e r C o l l e c t i o n a n d t h e i ncredible attention to deta i l b y t h e s e b e a u t i f u l w o m e n of Uganda .” - H e l e n B roc k
QUE
s old in Ju l y a n d w e a re in g in bus i n e s s ! O t h e r c l ude: Ken d r a S c o tt , A l e x n , Gor j ana , a n d K r is N au s e i t so d i f f e re n t f ro m r y and lov e t h e f a c t t h a t r families a c ro s s t h e n g Akola, w e f e e l w e a re g His love t o o u r o w n g t he story b e h i n d t h e ow ing us t o h a v e t he l i n e !
M ONK EE’ S OF THE VI LLAGE W I N S TON S AL E M, NC M o n k e e’s of the Village is a ladies store beyond y o u r “ girlie” imagination; known to carry the finest l i n e s i n shoes, clothing and accessor ies! Yo u c a n b e a s s u r e d - if you f ind it at Monkee’s, it is the most “ i n ” t h ing! One no longer has to travel to New York o r M i l a n to f ind the f inest in f ashion: Monkee’s o f t h e Village has it. At Monkee’s, you’ ll experi e n c e b outique shopping as it is meant to be - fun a n d p e rsonal! Our associates all have an incredible e y e f o r style and are dedicated to delivering world c l a s s c ustomer ser vice! “A k o l a is one of our favorite accessory lines not o n l y b ecause it truly makes ANY outfit, but it also s u p p o r ts a wonderful cause. A ll the girls at Mon k e e ’s o f the Village wear their Akola pieces with p r i d e and know that their purchase is helping to s u p p o r t women just like them! ”
H A RRISON’S
ROOTS BOUTI QUE
HAM B UR G, A R
WACO, TX
Harri s o n ’s i s a b o u t i q u e d e p a r t m ent store t h a t h a s b e e n a p a r t o f t h e town’s s quare fo r 6 8 y e a r s . B e i n g i n r u ral Sout h e a s t Ark a n s a s , H a r r i s o n ’s has be come a d e s t i n a t i o n f o r c u s t o m e r s from all ov e r S o u t h e a s t A r k a n s a s , t h e Delta, and N o rt h e a s t L o u i s i a n a . H a r r i s on’s l oves h a v i n g s p e c i a l b r a n d s , s u c h as Akola , t h a t a r e u n i q u e t o o u r s t o re and favori t e s t o o u r c u s t o m e r s .
Roots off er s a unique shopping experi ence that seeks to inspire, bring joy and a little peace to an other wise busy day. Creating that perfect ambiance, staying ahead of the tr ends in f ashion and of fering unique gifts that create memories ar e just a f ew ways that cu stomers con nect to our stor e. Roots is also so very pr oud to par tner with many social en trepreneurs in order to give back to the communities that are meaningful and make a bold difference for the better. “ I partnered with Akola in 2014 when they opened in Dallas and have proudly offered this great line to customers from all over the states. From the college coed to her mom and grandmother, Akola provides a unique accessory that women are proud to purchase and proud to wear. Buying Akola is just a small way I can reach out and share my love and hope for a better world. And, I thank them for that opportunity .”
BA CK HO ME
JO JO’S BOUTIQUE
AU STI N, TX
S UMT E R, S C
At Back H o m e L i v i n g , w e b e l i e v e t hat i nteriors a r e a b o u t t h e p e o p l e w h o live i n thos e s p a c e s , n o t a b o u t w h o d e c or at ed it. Ou r p a s si o n l i e s i n c o n v e r ti ng clien t s i n t o f r i e n d s a n d c r e a t i v ely cha nging s p a c e s w i t h o u r u n i q u e b l end o f Frenc h i n s p i re d l i v i n g .
Jo Jo’s car r ies classic and tr endy ladies’ apparel and accessories. We help dress anyone from that special outing or just a f un day! We love our divas! !
“I love th e p u r p os e b e h i n d t h e j e w elr y. I lov e t h e p a ss i o n b e h i n d t h e w o men who c re a t e i t . F ro m t h e m o m e n t we heard ab o u t t h e A k o l a P ro j e c t I k n ew I w a nted m y s t o re to b e a p a r t o f i t . I’m s o honore d t o h a v e t h e o p p o r t u n i t y to s howcase t h e s e a r t i s a n s” . - M a r i J o hns on, Own e r
“It feels good to carry a line like Akola in Jo Jo’s B outique because the piec es are handcrafted by women who are supporting their family. Not to mention their work is phenomenal and beautiful! I t’s like wearing a piece of artwork. ”
IN THE MEDIA
P U B L I C R E L AT I O N S AKOLA PROJECT UGANDA / DALLAS A N N U A L R E P O RT 2 0 1 4
MEDIA COVERAGE
Katie: “This 10-year odyssey has changed her life and the lives of countless others” Brittany: “What I think is wonderful is that… a lot of women…because they’ve seen this model…are actually creating other businesses” Katie: “I’m very inspired by everything you’re doing”
“Women who work with Akola can earn an average of four times the local wage, according to the Project. And this income can stretch far, Underwood says, to not only support the women and their own children, but for some, it can change the lives of generations to come.”
“The women in Uganda and the women in Dallas are an incredible roster, they all are so accomplished” “I love that you can get some really unique pieces and give back at the same time “
“Underwood’s nonprofit will work with more than 500 women in the next year, helping them earn paychecks and invest in themselves.”
“Operating as a non-profit and a social business, the Akola Project has empowered women through vocational training, employment opportunities, educational programs, and given them the means to earn and save money.”
“Dallas’ coolest non-profit jewelry shop”
SOCIAL MEDIA @AKOLAPROJET AKOLA PROJECT UGANDA / DALLAS A N N U A L R E P O RT 2 0 1 4
SO C IA L
AKOLA AMB
#BeStylishC
Akola Ambassadors play an active
vision by sharing the bra
725
100
L ME D I A
BASSADORS
ChangeLives
role in supporting the mission and
and with
their networks.
409
278
FINANCIAL
S T E WA R D S H I P AKOLA PROJECT UGANDA / DALLAS A N N U A L R E P O RT 2 0 1 4
$1,167,374 TO TA L A N N U A L I N C O M E YEAR END DECEMBER 31, 2014
2014 ANNUAL INCOME PERCENT ANALYSIS
37%
DONATIONS TO AK OL A
63%
P R ODUC T SAL E S R E VE NUE
F I N A N C I A L S T E WA R D S H I P - A K O L A U G A N D A / D A L L A S
AKOLA PRODUCT SALES REVENUE Akola product sales revenue funds beneficiary wages and operating costs, which enables Akola to put 100% of our donor dollars to empowerment, ministry, and wellness programs as well as brick and mortar projects in Uganda.
BENEFICIARY WAGES PRODUCT PRODUCTION PRODUCT DISTRIBUTION
A k o l a p ro d u c t s a les revenue cover Akolaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s non-profit o p e r a t i n g b u dget, employment, and training.
D O N AT I O N I M P A C T Donations fund Akolaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s domestic and international empowerment, ministry and wellness programs that operate in conjunction with the economic development initiatives of the social business to holistically care for Akola beneficiaries.
DOMESTIC EMPOWERMENT PROGRAMS INTERNATIONAL EMPOWERMENT PROGRAMS
A k o l a re l i e s o n d o nations to fund holistic programs and c o m m u n i t y d e v e l opment projects for A kola members.
I M PA C T I N V E S T M E N T S SC A L I N G E M P LO Y M E N T & P R O D U C T I O N Impact investments catalyze growth of the social business so the organization can scale employment and product production.
S C A L ING EMPLOYMENT & PRODUCTI O N
In 201 4 , A k o l a re c ei v e d i t s f i r s t i m p a c t i n v e s t ment to sca l e p ro d u c t p ro d u c t i o n i n re s p o n s e t o g ro wing deman d . I m p a c t i n v e s t i n g s u p p o r t s A k o l a â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s g ro wth and al l o w s u s t o i m p a c t m o re w o m e n , c h i l d re n a nd com mu n i t i e s. F I N A N C I A L S T E WA R D S H I P - A K O L A U G A N D A / D A L L A S
$1,161,291 TO TA L A N N U A L E X P E N S E S YEAR END DECEMBER 31, 2014
2014 ANN UAL EXPENSES PERCENT ANALYSIS
38%
B E N E FICIARY WAGES/ PRODUCTION
34%
P R O DUC T E XPANSION
10%
D E V E LOPMENT
3 %
H O L I STIC DOM E STIC PR OGR AMS
14%
H O L I S TIC INTE R NATIONAL PR OGR AMS
F I N A N C I A L S T E WA R D S H I P - A K O L A U G A N D A / D A L L A S
A K O L A P R O J E C T : S T AT E M E N T O F A
ACTIVITY
A K O L A P R O J E C T : S T AT E M E N T O F A
ACTIVITY
A K O L A P R O J E C T : S T AT E M E N T O F P
POSITION