At 13, Ishimwe Shem Vanessa’s world turned upside down. She and her family, displaced by tragedy, found themselves seeking refuge in Uganda after the death of her father. The loss of a parent, combined with the trauma of becoming a refugee, could have crushed any hope for the future, for Vanessa, it was only the beginning of a journey that would not only transform her life but also the lives of many others.
“During this time, studying entirely depended on my mother,” Vanessa recalls. “She tried very hard to educate us, but she did not have a job, so she depended a lot on family support, which was not enough. My siblings and I ended up dropping out of school. I was in Senior 3 when I first dropped out. But I was eventually able to complete A’level on a scholarship and later got into university, still on a scholarship, where I studied Business Administration.”
Vanessa’s educational journey was shaped by adversity, but through these struggles, she found her true calling. Her passion for helping others, especially refugee youth, began long before she earned her degree. During the time she was out of school, Vanessa and a few friends started an organization aimed at providing early childhood education for refugee children. That was when she realized that social entrepreneurship wasn’t just a career path for her; it was her mission in life.
“I knew I had become a social entrepreneur,” she says. “It wasn’t about making money for myself—it was about creating something that would last, that would uplift my community and future generations.” She founded Authentic African Works (AAW), a business dedicated to empowering refugee women and girls through skills development and job creation.
AAW: Creating Jobs and Empowering Women
AAW specializes in producing high-quality leather goods, such as sandals and accessories, all crafted by refugee women. Located in the Kyaka II refugee settlement in Uganda, the company’s mission is clear: to create sustainable livelihoods for refugee women, many of whom lack access to formal education and employment opportunities due to language barriers or other challenges. Vanessa saw this gap and decided to bridge it.
“I realized that for a refugee, the people most likely to employ a refugee are other refugees,” she explains. “So, I knew I had to be a job creator for fellow refugee women.” Through AAW, Vanessa has not only been able to create a thriving business but also a space for women to learn technical skills that provide economic independence.
At the core of AAW’s mission is an emphasis on education. “Given the challenges and disparities that girls face,” Vanessa says, “our solution focuses on making it financially feasible for them to complete A’level secondary school by offering sponsorships, personal development training, and remedial lessons to help them improve their academic performance.” The organization has already helped sponsor the secondary education of 15 girls, giving them a chance to achieve what once seemed impossible. But this is just the beginning.
Vanessa’s journey as an entrepreneur hasn’t been without its challenges. Securing funding for a business that employs refugee women was no easy feat. “Many investors were initially hesitant,” she admits. “But I persisted in showcasing the value of empowering marginalized groups.” It was a struggle, but Vanessa’s determination paid off. “I learned that patience, persistence, and transparency are critical when navigating obstacles,” she reflects.
Today, AAW employs over 15 people, many of whom are refugee women, and the organization’s impact continues to expand. AAW has trained more than 100 refugee women and girls in leather crafting and financial literacy. Many of these women have transitioned into stable employment or have even started their own businesses. The ripple effect of this success is profound: families benefit, as women can now contribute to household incomes, improving their families’ quality of life.
One of Vanessa’s proudest achievements is seeing the direct impact of her work on the women involved. “We’re more than just a brand,” she says. “We are a community-based organization dedicated to transforming the lives of refugees in Uganda. It’s about empowerment. It’s about giving people the tools they need to change their lives for the better.”
Building a Sustainable Future for Refugee Communities
Yet, despite her success, Vanessa remains humble and focused on the bigger picture. She understands the importance of community leadership, and this has driven her to take on other roles, including her involvement with the Youth Advisory Committee under the DREEM project for WUSC, advocating for more investments in refugee-led initiatives. Her focus continues to be on amplifying local voices, ensuring that refugees are leading their own development.
Reflecting on her journey, Vanessa shares the most significant lessons she’s learned: the importance of being flexible and knowing when to pivot. “You can spend a long time building something and reach a point where you realize that it will not work. But in many cases, we tend to feel like if we let go or pivot, we will be losing all the work we’ve put in,” she admits. “But it’s better to accept that you walked into the wrong door than spend a lifetime in the wrong room.”
This willingness to embrace change, to adapt and evolve, has allowed Vanessa to stay ahead of the curve in a constantly shifting business landscape. She credits her success to seeking mentorship, fellowships, and continual learning. “Most of the work that helps me stay ahead is done through consulting with mentors and getting into fellowships and trainings that help me learn and network with people who support me to get into new markets and strengthen my operations,” she shares.
As a leader, Vanessa remains committed to helping other refugee-led organizations thrive. “The rise in attention to local initiatives under the localization agenda excites me,” she says, referring to the global push for shifting power, decision-making, and solutions to local actors. This trend, she believes, presents opportunities for collaboration, investment, and partnership that will help local initiatives like hers to grow and flourish.
From a young refugee girl facing seemingly insurmountable odds to a social entrepreneur running an impactful organization, her journey is one of hope, empowerment, and change. As she continues to grow Authentic African Works and her other ventures, she remains focused on what matters most: building a sustainable future for refugee youth and women in Uganda and beyond.
For anyone looking to follow in her footsteps, Vanessa has one simple advice: “Focus on creating a sustainable, impact-driven business model. Start small, but think big. Invest in the right training, build relationships with local communities, and always be open to learning.” It’s not just about business—it’s about building a future that benefits everyone.
