At UBUCHANGE, we believe that every person has creativity inside them. For refugees,
this creativity is more than just a gift. It is a way to survive, to grow, and to build a future.
But creativity alone does not feed families. It must be linked to markets. That is where
UBUCHANGE comes in.
Our model, called Salespreneurship, is built on a simple idea: Every Salespreneur is a
maker, and every maker is a Salespreneur. This means that refugees do not stop at
creating. They also learn how to sell what they create. In this way, creativity becomes
income, and income becomes stability for families.
Creativity in Refugee Settlements
When you walk through a refugee settlement like Kyaka II, you see creativity
everywhere. Women weave mats, baskets, and bags from banana bark. Youth paint, sing,
and perform. Farmers grow crops in small plots of land. Children make toys from plastic
bottles.
The talent is there, but too often it stays hidden. Products are made for personal use or
sold cheaply within the settlement. Without proper training, branding, and markets, this
creativity does not bring enough income.
UBUCHANGE exists to change that.
From Talent to Income
We give training, materials, and networks that turn creativity into livelihood.
● Handcrafts: Banana bark is an example. Instead of throwing it away, women
learn to make baskets, eco-bags, and other crafts. These products are eco-friendly
and have demand in Uganda and even internationally.
● Recycling: Youth in Kampala collect plastics and turn them into useful items.
They clean their environment and earn at the same time.
● Art and Performance: Through our Stand for Talent project, artists learned how
to organize shows, promote themselves, and sell their skills.
● Agriculture: Farming is not only for food. With the right methods, farmers grow
surplus crops that are sold in local markets.
Each of these shows that creativity can be more than a hobby. It can be a business.
A Story of a Bag
Ms. Saverina told us how her life changed. Before UBUCHANGE, she stayed at home,
waiting for food rations. After our training, she learned to make banana bark bags. The
first bag she sold was through one of our Salespreneurs in Kampala. When she received
payment on her phone, she cried. She said it was the first time she ever earned money on
her own.
Now she makes several bags every month. She feeds her children without waiting for aid
and even saves some money for the future. This is what we mean when we say creativity
becomes livelihood.
Why Creativity Matters
Creativity has three big values in our work:
- Income: It provides money for food, school, and health.
- Dignity: It restores confidence. Refugees feel proud when their products are
valued. - Sustainability: Many of our creative products are eco-friendly, like banana bark
crafts or recycled items. This supports the environment as well as families.
The Role of Salespreneurship
Salespreneurship is what makes creativity powerful. Without sales, even the best product
cannot create income. UBUCHANGE teaches Salespreneurs how to:
● Brand and package products.
● Use social media and digital platforms to reach buyers.
● Connect to logistics services for delivery.
● Manage money through savings groups and mobile money.
This complete system ensures that creativity does not stop at making, but continues into
earning.
The Bigger Market
The global market is changing. Buyers are looking for eco-friendly, handmade, and
authentic products. African crafts, recycled goods, and organic food are in demand.
Refugees in Uganda can meet this demand if connected to the right channels.
That is why UBUCHANGE invests in e-commerce and partnerships. We want refugee-
made products to reach not only local markets but also regional and global ones. A basket
made in Kyaka II should be able to reach a home in Kampala, Nairobi, or even Europe.
Our Vision
By 2030, we aim to have 10,000 Salespreneurs trained and selling their creative
products. We plan to facilitate 5 million USD in annual sales. This will mean thousands
of families supported through their own creativity, not through aid.
We also want to inspire other refugee communities across Africa to adopt this model.
Creativity is everywhere. It only needs structure, support, and markets.
How You Can Support Creativity
You can play a role in turning creativity into livelihood:
● Buy products: Each basket, bag, or vegetable you buy is more than an item. It is
food for a family.
● Partner with us: Businesses and NGOs can work with UBUCHANGE to open
new markets.
● Promote refugee talent: Share stories, photos, and products with your networks.
Conclusion
Refugees are often seen as people who wait for help. But the truth is different. They are
creative, skilled, and hardworking. What they need is a chance to turn creativity into
income.
UBUCHANGE does this through Salespreneurship. By combining making and selling,
we give refugees the power to use their talents for livelihood.
When you see a banana bark basket, a recycled product, or a painting from a refugee
youth, remember that it carries a story of resilience. It is more than a product. It is a life
rebuilt.
That is why we say: every Salespreneur is a maker, and every maker is a Salespreneur.
