Today we’d like to introduce you to Maureen Kumwenda.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
In 2018, I shared an idea on Facebook that highlighted how I’d like to have mind-shifting conversations on entrepreneurship with young women. When a lot of people showed interest, I created a WhatsApp group where we hosted various women from different backgrounds and professions to teach and discuss on how we can improve ourselves as women in many aspects of life, career development included.
After a few months of being active, I decided to register the movement as a nonprofit organization.
In 2019, Young Women with a Vision (YWWAV) was officially registered under the Registra of NGOs In Zambia. YWWAV is a young women’s organization that encourages young women’s entrepreneurship through skills and talent growth. The goal is to lessen dependency levels in young women by encouraging them to use what’s easily accessible and convenient. This can be a skill, passion, talent and or an idea.
Beneficiaries of our work are trained in five main areas which are Moral knowledge, personal branding, financial management, leadership, and mentorship skills.
What made me start Young Women with a vision was the vulnerability I saw in many young people who had the potential to do great things but needed a little push and mindset shift so they can think more of finding a solution rather than waiting on someone to offer them a solution. Unemployment was a huge issue at the time and still is. I love to say, we’re a privileged generation, we have access to so much information and tools that can change everything for us, but we have to align ourselves with what is required in order to achieve the goals we set. I mean, we can turn anything into a business plus the flexibility of working from home, you don’t always have to rent a store to start operating.
With the help of a couple of people who I looked up to and believed in my idea, I have been able to grow a community of young people who are hungry for growth and ready to be change-makers. Startups and aspiring entrepreneurs who are beneficiaries of our various initiatives and activities.
Due to COVID, we cut operations and activities for a while, but we resumed in 2022; even though the recovery process after has been slow but we’re positive everything will be re-established.
As we prepare and plan for 2024, we would like to partner with various organizations and individuals who would be interested in helping us accomplish our mission, which is “To unite young women, create opportunities, and open doors for one another. We want to ensure that every young woman is involved in something that is beneficial to oneself and the world at large.”
Many thanks to the American embassy for allowing us access to American spaces which enables us to host all our activities at no cost. In 2022 through to 2023, we’ve successfully hosted free business training sessions, workshops, and skills-sharing events.
This May, I officially launched an annual event I call “BLOSSOM”. Blossom is aimed at bringing young women together in an environment that allows them to voice out on issues affecting them. The idea is to help women step out of their shells, their comfort zones and use opportunities around them to establish oneself and discover their purpose.
Last year’s event was held under the theme “Becoming You” and had an all-women panel that featured Lulu Haangala Wood of the Wood Kitchen, Clara Kapelembe Bwali of Black Garlic, and Mary Fawaz of Bumi Mealing and Revive Cafe. I’m looking forward to hosting the second edition in 2024 and really looking forward to partnering with many more women to see this grow to greater heights.
Currently, I am working on collaborating with Chicago-based change makers as this is home for the next couple of years. I am hoping to launch YWWAV here in the US and see how well we can work together to achieve the same goals despite being situated in different parts of the world.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road; with COVID coming into play, me leaving the country, and always having my team and I to fund for our activities, we have faced a couple of setbacks. Money is much needed for many activities to run smoothly. Also, switching from physical to online activities was quite a challenge as many people had to readjust to this being our new normal.
One of the biggest challenges is having people to change how they perceive things. Imagine having to convince someone that they don’t need a job instead, they are the ones to create the job. Imagine seeing potential in someone who doesn’t see it in themselves. It’s hard to have someone switch to believing something new after many years of living another truth.
As you know, we’re big fans of Young Women with a Vision, Maudorc. Style & Beauty, Radio & Tv Presenter. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
I am the founder and director of Young Women with a Vision, a young women’s nonprofit organization that encourages young women’s entrepreneurship through skills and talent growth. I am also the owner and head stylist for Maudorc Style and Beauty a fashion and beauty salon that specializes in fashion and beauty services. We offer hair & makeup for all occasions, wardrobe, and bridal services.
Away from this, I am a radio and TV presenter with nine years of experience in the media industry.
I am known for my passion for women and children; anyone who knows me can confidently say “Maureen is passionate about women and children”. My joy lies in seeing women blossom into everything they’ve ever wanted and also knowing that I’m creating an environment where women don’t only grow but also create opportunities for other women. I have recently discovered my love for children, and through the American Corner CBU, I have been able to spend time with children, teaching them on entrepreneurship through the Kidpreneurship program under the Business Walkie-Talkie project, a children’s holiday program. This has been one of the many fulfilling experiences I’ve ever had.
Alright so before we go can you talk to us a bit about how people can work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
We’d like to partner or collaborate with individuals or organizations that are experts in any of the areas we focus on or offer services that would be of great benefit to our members or participants of our programs.
As we prepare to set up our office, we are in need of stationery and supplies that will help us have a resourceful youth hub where young people can easily access free entrepreneurship material and resources that enable them to thrive in their various fields.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.facebook.com/misskumwenda?mibextid=LQQJ4d
- Instagram: instagram.com/maureen_kumwenda
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/misskumwenda?mibextid=LQQJ4d
- Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/maureen-kumwenda
