Global Sisters

Citi joined forces with Global Sisters as their first corporate partner in 2015

Global Sisters

Citi joined forces with Global Sisters as their first corporate partner in 2015. Working collaboratively the partnership aimed to support the creation of new jobs through social and micro-businesses for financially excluded, low-income women. The first Citi Foundation grant assisted the development and implementation of the inaugural "Sister School" - a business school providing women with the know-how to get a business off the ground through business education and development support. In the first year of the program, Global Sisters were able to support women who had disengaged, or were at risk of disengaging, from school to test, refine and document the process in order to build scale. Now in its second year, Global Sisters will work to scale the Sister School, enabling them to support women in additional locations.

Maureen

Maureen had been helping with her children's school art project when she discovered her natural flair for weaving Pacific-inspired art and accessories. Since then she has been re-connecting with her homeland and traditional culture in Samoa, establishing Samoan Weaving HQ business and blog, with the aim to be the 'go to' place for all things connected with Samoan weaving. Using traditional weaving practises, she specialises in contemporary pieces such as wedding decorations, costume jewellery and wall hangings, using modern materials including curling ribbon and raffia. Through the business, Maureen is setting up a social enterprise in Samoa to provide villagers with the opportunity to earn an income from their traditional weaving practices. She's working with her parents to get this up and running, starting in her dad's local village of Safotu.

Learn more about Maureen here.

Yarrie

Aunty's ginger tonic is a ginger drink business with roots in a strong story. With her first exposure to business in Guinea, selling items at the markets as a way of survival, owner Yarrie Bangura never thought she would have her own. Her ginger tonic is now a product that is being distributed across Sydney, with the aim of reaching health shops, cafes and supermarkets more broadly. As the business develops, Yarrie wants to use its growth to have a voice and give something back. Today she loves the freedom that comes with having her own business: "I'm in control and nobody can take that away from me."

Learn more about Yarrie here.