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Resilience and Purpose: Naboth Kwilyame’s Social Entrepreneurship Journey

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In May 2013, Naboth Kwilyame fled the unrest in North Kivu, Goma, seeking refuge in Uganda’s Nakivale Refugee Settlement. Like many refugees, Naboth’s early life in exile was marked by uncertainty and hardship. Forced to abandon his education due to financial constraints, he took on manual jobs such as bricklaying to support himself. Yet, it was these struggles that laid the groundwork for his remarkable journey into social entrepreneurship.

“I dropped out of school because my family couldn’t afford tuition, and I had to take on tasks like bricklaying to survive,” he says.

From Bricklayer to Mentor: The Foundation of a Vision

The turning point came in 2021 when Naboth established Lazima Nipate Academy, an initiative co-founded by his brother. Lazima Nipate Academy is a non-governmental organization dedicated to empowering young refugees and nationals in Kampala. It helps them build sustainable livelihoods by fostering job creators and change-makers who are equipped to transform challenges into innovative solutions. The academy provided a nurturing environment for Naboth to discover his strengths and passions. It was here that he began his foray into personal development and social entrepreneurship. He emerged not just as a student but as a personal development trainer, equipped with the tools to mentor others facing similar adversities.

Naboth’s mentoring journey extended to the Social Innovation Academy (SINA), where he refined his understanding of social entrepreneurship. By 2024, he had joined Cosmo Foundation, a platform that allowed him to apply his expertise on a broader scale. At Cosmo, he serves as a trainer and mentor, focusing on empowering marginalized youth and refugee communities to create sustainable solutions for their challenges.

Filling Gaps in Opportunity and Access

Naboth’s experiences as a refugee revealed glaring gaps in access to mentorship, skills development, and financial support within marginalized communities. Recognizing the unmet needs, he launched Students Capital, an initiative providing affordable school fee loans for refugee parents. While the project faced its share of challenges, it was a testament to his commitment to addressing systemic inequalities.

“I saw a gap in access to mentorship, skills development, and financial support for marginalized youth and refugee communities, especially for education and sustainable livelihoods. This gap inspired my first project, Students Capital, to provide affordable school fee loans for refugee parents. Although this project faced challenges, it laid the groundwork for my commitment to empowering communities through skills development and entrepreneurship,” Naboth recalls.

At Cosmo Foundation, Naboth contributes to initiatives like the Heat Bank Cooker Project, addressing energy and cooking challenges in underserved areas, and the Social Impact Award Coordination, which supports young entrepreneurs across East Africa. These projects not only uplift communities but also underscore the power of combining innovative business strategies with a mission-driven approach.

Social Entrepreneurship: A Balance of Profit and Purpose

For Naboth, social entrepreneurship is the art of blending business acumen with societal impact. It’s about identifying market gaps, designing sustainable solutions, and ensuring measurable outcomes. His work at Cosmo Foundation exemplifies this ethos, guiding young entrepreneurs to align their ventures with both profitability and purpose.

The Heat Bank Cooker Project, for instance, demonstrates how addressing basic needs like cooking energy can lead to broader community transformations. Through mentorship programs, Naboth emphasizes resilience, adaptability, and a focus on long-term sustainability—key pillars for any entrepreneurial endeavor.

Naboth’s journey offers invaluable insights for aspiring entrepreneurs across Africa:

  • Start Small but Act Now: Waiting for perfect conditions can delay impact. Taking the first step is crucial.
  • Leverage Community Networks: Collaboration amplifies impact and provides diverse perspectives.
  • Prioritize Sustainability: Balancing social impact with financial viability ensures longevity.
  • Embrace Lifelong Learning: Staying informed about emerging trends and technologies enables adaptability and innovation.

Scaling Impact: A Vision for the Future

Looking ahead, Naboth envisions expanding the reach of Cosmo Foundation’s initiatives across Africa. His ambition is to replicate successful projects like the Heat Bank Cooker in other refugee settlements, fostering self-reliance and innovation among marginalized groups.

In five years, he aspires to lead impactful ventures that empower thousands of youths. By scaling mentorship and entrepreneurship programs, Naboth aims to build a replicable model of success for refugee communities—a testament to resilience and the transformative power of purpose-driven leadership.

“I envision myself leading impactful initiatives that empower thousands of marginalized youths across Africa. I aim to scale the Cosmo Foundation’s work, expand the Heat Bank Cooker project, and create a replicable model of entrepreneurship for refugee communities. I want the world to learn that resilience and purpose can turn even the most challenging circumstances into opportunities for growth and positive change,” he suggests.

Naboth’s journey underscores a fundamental truth: adversity, when met with resilience and purpose, can become a catalyst for change. His story serves as an inspiration for entrepreneurs and changemakers, proving that even in the most challenging circumstances, opportunities for growth and impact abound. Through his work, Naboth is shaping a legacy of empowerment and hope for future generations.

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