Global lithium battery manufacturer RELiON Battery has announced that through its partnership with “1% for the Planet,” a nonprofit organization, it will be helping the Kula Project, another nonprofit focused on helping women in Rwanda. Through the partnership, RELiON is helping finance a brand-new women’s center in Rwanda.
As part of RELiON’s Limitless Blue campaign to reduce impact on the planet and use business as a force for good, the company’s donation will help suppress poverty in Rwanda and assist in Kula’s mission to empower women to become successful entrepreneurs there. The women’s center sponsored by RELiON is set to open by in November 2021, and it will be helping 70 women every 15 months.
“When learning more about Kula Project’s mission and their team, you can’t help but feel the passion throughout the organization, along with the resilience of the people of Rwanda,” said RELiON Battery CEO Paul Hecimovich. “By donating funds to directly help build a new women’s center, we hope to continue their support offering educational and business opportunities for women within these communities. We look forward to a long-standing partnership with Kula.”
Through a 15-month fellowship that provides industry training, business investment and life and leadership skills, Kula’s fellows are empowered to build profitable businesses, raise healthy families and send their children to school. The women’s centers provide opportunities for young girls and women in coffee communities to participate in the Kula Fellowship and receive training and education that help them create their own sewing, weaving and agriculture businesses. The women participate in business training followed by specific skills training allowing them to create handmade products and agribusiness goods to sell on the local market. Additionally, these trainings are supplemented with sessions in female reproductive health and family nutrition as well as continuous one-on-one mentorship.
“We are thrilled to start our partnership with RELiON. The Kula women of Rusasa, Rwanda, are beyond thrilled we’re able to build a women’s center, so much so that we had a record number of applicants,” said Sarah Buchanan-Sasson, Kula Project executive director. “RELiON’s commitment to long-term development will empower these women and so many more to pursue a future based on their dreams instead of their circumstances. We’re extremely grateful to start creating that impact together.”
Last year RELiON joined 1% for the Planet alongside other business members such as Avocado Green Mattress, Patagonia, Winc and Spindrift. As a member, the company commits to donating 1 percent of sales each year to nonprofits solving pressing global challenges. Since then, the company has partnered with more than 10 organizations, focusing on causes such as ocean conservation, renewable energy and food recovery. Highlights include financing a lithium battery upgrade for Rozalia Project’s ocean research vessel and donating funds to Food Forward that will recover 250,000 pounds of surplus produce to help communities experiencing food insecurity and sponsoring batteries for Renewable World’s micro-grid to power everything needed in a village in Kenya.