Two years ago, an abrupt conversation with a Norwegian investor set Elizabeth on the path to pursue her childhood dream; empowering marginalised people and making a change in their lives.
At the time, she was the Head of Operations at Agilitee East Africa— a firm that specialises in manufacturing electric vehicles and car charging facilities.
The conversations with the Norwegians which centred on sustainability in the manufacturing and construction industry, jolted Elizabeth’s attention as the investor sounded keen on empowering people in a way that promotes the circular economy.
“There is a lot of food wastage. We agreed to form a village to talk and walk sustainability on waste management as we empowered people. UVG was formed two years ago and then incorporated in Geneva in October last year,” Elizabeth says.
"I do not want to die as Elizabeth, I want to die as an institution because only institutions transform lives."
UGV is empowering women and the youth in Kenya and other nations, with emphasis on education, talent identification, work opportunities and modern farming.
The organisation’s model involves setting up communities with basic amenities from clean energy, health facilities, and hydroponic farming.
Hydroponic farming entails growing crops using a water-based nutrient solution rather than soil. UVG is using the technique to help homes and schools in the city to ensure a supply of nutritionally rich and non-contaminated food, mainly vegetables.
The NGO is also linking disadvantaged people with major learning institutions like Strathmore University and the Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT), allowing for knowledge transfer besides linking the beneficiaries to job opportunities.
“I do not want to die as Elizabeth, I want to die as an institution because only institutions transform lives,” she says.
“This is achieved by stabilising and growing village-centered and circular economies that can be scaled through replication from one village to the next,” Elizabeth says.
UVG uses members to reach out to the communities with Elizabeth saying that legendary marathoner, Tegla Loroupe reached out to communities in Turkana County. The Kenyan legend is one of the over 150 members globally that UVG has joined hands with to lift the fortunes of youth and women across the globe.
UVG has embarked on a transformative journey with the launch of the Women in Sustainable Prosperity (WiSP), project to drive female leadership, particularly targeting those from marginalised communities.
Being a young CEO, all too passionate about women and the youth, Elizabeth advises young girls to show up, citing that she was fresh from university and the village in Western Kenya, and now sits on a CEO’s seat.
“My biggest advice to young girls is to show up, just show up, even if you are shaking. Nothing is too big beyond the village girl,” she says.
Elizabeth is currently pursuing a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Strategic Management and Leadership, to deepen her passion for strategy, adding that as a CEO, it is all about strategy and leadership. She holds a Masters in Strategic Management and Leadership from the Catholic University of East Africa and an undergraduate in Business Administration (Procurement) from the Kenya Methodist University.
– By Eddy Ashioya
