UZURI K&Y's purpose is to establish long-term solutions for recycling waste into valuable footwear. They are finding practical ways to recycle tires and turn them into shoes. They also work to teach African youth and women how to recreate their business model and create footwear out of rubber tires in order to encourage them to start their own businesses. Through their training courses, the company has helped increasing employment and create local income opportunities in the country of Rwanda.

In Rwanda, imported second-hand clothing from Western countries has undercut the opportunities for the local textile makers [1]. This has directly led to reduced or vanished income sources for the locals along with indirect increased emissions, as the supply chain of clothing means longer miles product transfer. Unemployment has also risen in the country to a 22% in 2020, especially as a consequence of COVID-19, a decline in the opportunities particularly for women and the younger population [2].

UZURI K&Y has created a durable and locally focused production and design for shoes. They use recycled tires for their shoe soles to reduce waste and make their product more environmentally friendly. Their goal is to bring more employment opportunities for the people of Rwanda, with a special focus on women and youth, therefore they developed their training courses for anyone to join and learn the skills necessary for opening a shoe production business.

The company is currently producing around 200 shoes per day and has achieved to employ more than 50 people as staff members. By their training, they will have a direct effect on over 750 people in the community within five years through teaching skills and helping others to open their organizations, and therefore create more local jobs. 

[1] Source: https://www.downtoearth.org.in/news/economy/the-circular-economy-how-rwanda-tries-to-chart-its-course-in-hostile-global-waters-65120

[2] Source: https://africa.cgtn.com/2020/08/20/unemployment-rate-in-rwanda-increases-to-22-percent/