hellen munyasa

Believe

[U.S. Exchange Alumni Uganda @USAlumniUganda]

Video Recap: Episode 4 of #USEAFacesOfImpact 🎬

[U.S. Exchange Alumni Uganda @USAlumniUganda]

@hellenmunyasa shared how she transitioned from wholesale textile trading into circular manufacturing and plastic recycling.

Her journey started from a real business problem: textile traders in Uganda were depending heavily on imported sewing threads, especially from China, which often meant waiting 40 to 60 days for supply. For traders, that delay meant lost customers, lost revenue, and unreliable business operations.

Hellen saw two opportunities at once: a strong local market demand for sewing threads and the availability of plastic waste as raw material.

She explained that Uganda generates over 600 tons of plastic waste every day, with a large percentage remaining uncollected. Instead of seeing plastic waste only as an environmental problem, she saw it as a business opportunity.

Today, her company is turning plastic waste into locally made sewing threads, working with over 110 wholesale textile traders and more than 140 women and youth waste pickers who supply raw material.

Her story proves that circular manufacturing is not just about sustainability. It is also about solving supply chain problems, creating jobs, supporting traders, and turning waste into economic value.

[U.S. Exchange Alumni Uganda @USAlumniUganda]

@hellenmunyasa on mindset shift.... Hellen emphasized that the biggest challenge was not only producing quality recycled products, but changing people’s mindset. Many customers believed imported products were better, so her team had to prove value through standards, consistency, and trusted market relationships.

[U.S. Exchange Alumni Uganda @USAlumniUganda]

⏳​3 DAYS TO GO⏳
We are counting down to USEA Faces of Impact Episode 4.
Join us this Friday as we explore economic opportunities and community transformation in the Oil, Water, and Waste sectors.
​Hear from the experts:
🔹 @Comrade_Otoa
🔹 @emmanjuki
🔹 @hellenmunyasa
🔹 @aweko_faith
🔹 @xytun
🎤 Moderated by @victoria_sibiya

​🗓 Friday, 22nd May 2026
⏰ 2:30 PM
📍 American Center

Clear your schedule and pull up ready to learn and network.

[U.S. Exchange Alumni Uganda @USAlumniUganda]

🌍 Meet Our First Speaker for USEA Faces of Impact – Episode 4.

We are excited to feature @hellenmunyasa , a Ugandan entrepreneur and sustainability leader who is transforming post consumer plastic waste into eco-friendly polyester sewing threads for East Africa’s textile industry through @MunyasaH .

With over 10 years of experience in textile trading and fashion design, Hellen is creating real impact through circular manufacturing, green job creation, and empowering women and youth through enterprise. Her vision is bold , recycling over 15,000 tonnes of plastic annually and creating more than 10,000 jobs by 2030.

Hellen is also a 2025 @WashFellowship and has been recognized through the Afrise Challenge, Total Startupper of the Year 2024, UNDP Youth4Business Innovation Facility, and TEF/WE4A supported by the @TonyElumeluFDN and EU-GIZ.

📅Date: 22nd May 2026
Time: 2:00 PM
Venue: American Center Kampala
Topic: Oil, Water & Waste: Jobs That Change Communities

Come learn from her inspiring journey, discover how innovation can drive sustainability, and explore opportunities in green entrepreneurship and community impact.

#USEAFacesOfImpact #Sustainability #GreenJobs #YouthInnovation #WomenInBusiness #CircularEconomy #USEAUganda

[U.S. Exchange Alumni Uganda @USAlumniUganda]

𝐔.𝐒. 𝐀𝐥𝐮𝐦𝐧𝐢 𝐀𝐩𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐦

This past weekend, the U.S. Alumni Apprenticeship Program, in partnership with Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA), had the incredible honor of mentoring and inspiring over 200 young leaders committed to building sustainable innovations and purpose-driven change.

From bold ideas to practical solutions, the room was filled with energy, vision, and the courage to lead differently.

A true highlight was exhibiting some of the most impactful projects to the President of Rotary International, Francesco Arezzo, alongside Rotary International Director-Elect Katongole Emmanuel and other distinguished Rotary leaders.

It was a powerful moment of visibility for youth-led innovation and a reminder that young people are not just the leaders of tomorrow they are leading today.

It was a great opportunity to see some of our star Alumni lead discussions reaffirming our mandate at USEA of building sustainable impact. When we pay it forward, leadership is not just practiced - it is multiplied🤝

Thank you @RylaD9213 and the entire team that organized for the invitation and for creating spaces where young leaders are empowered to think boldly, act intentionally, and lead with purpose.

#YouthLeadership #Innovation

[RYLA D9213 @RylaD9213]

Highlight from @ShabanSenyange
-Be creators not spectators
-Start building now
-Business is created , impact is legacy
-Young people are not the future ,young people are now

This group of panelists are members of the @USAlumniUganda .

#RYLA26

[hellen munyasa @hellenmunyasa]

@RylaD9213 Thank you so much @RylaD9213 🙏❤️

[RYLA D9213 @RylaD9213]

@hellenmunyasa, "Start with what you have and leverage on the power of partnership,go out there with the fire and start something."

#RYLA26

[RYLA D9213 @RylaD9213]

Panel Discussion Happening Now

Topic: Youth & Sustainable Innovation in Africa Today

Speakers,
-@FrancKamugyisha
-@dimma326
-@hellenmunyasa
-Aminata Najjingo

Session being moderated by @ShabanSenyange

#RYLA26

[U.S. Exchange Alumni Uganda @USAlumniUganda]

Through our Apprenticeship Program to give back by mentoring the next generation of innovators through our Central Cluster alumni we are committed to this partnership.

Our mentors include @dimma326 Founder of Mawejje Creations, transforming banana and textile waste into sustainable fashion.

@amyliaclothing, Founder of Amylia Studio, which produces ethical fashion and homeware while empowering marginalized communities, including Deaf artisans.

@MunyasaHel50655 , Founder and Managing Director of Helton Traders Ltd, converting plastic waste into sustainable polyester sewing threads.

Moderated by @ShabanSenyange a Corporate Affairs Manager at Kiira Motors Corporation, leading ESG initiatives and sustainable mobility efforts while driving conservation and climate advocacy across the region.

We are proud that these outstanding leaders, all alumni of the @USEmbassyUganda Exchange programs will be giving back through mentorship this 21st February 2026.

[RYLA D9213 @RylaD9213]

PANELIST
Munyasa Hellen
Meet @MunyasaHel50655, Founder of Helton Traders, converting plastic waste into sustainable sewing threads. She's tackling plastic pollution and creating green jobs.

#RYLA26

[hellen munyasa @hellenmunyasa]

Grateful to have attended the @IRCExpo2025 in Cairo 🇪🇬.
An inspiring global platform connecting research, startups, and industry to turn ideas into real solutions. I gained valuable insights on commercialization, IP, and scaling innovation for impact.

#ircexpo2025

[hellen munyasa @hellenmunyasa]

Honored to be selected among the top 25 innovators moving to the 2025 YECO Accelerator! Grateful for the Bootcamp experience with 225 brilliant ecopreneurs and excited for the learning, collaboration & impact ahead. 🌍💡
@G20GLI_AR @ye_community #YECO25 #YouthEcopreneur2025

[Green Africa Youth Organization (GAYO Uganda) @GayoUganda]

You are invited to join us at the Startup Pitch Event of #ACIC2025, where 10 youth-led startups will pitch game-changing solutions for climate resilience, clean energy, sustainable agriculture, & more.

Register here : https://t.co/ZXvg5Nr1Ht

#YouthForClimate #AfricanSolutions

[hellen munyasa @hellenmunyasa]

Be thankful for the bad , it opens your eyes to the good. And remember, hope is a powerful weapon even when all seems lost.

[U.S. Exchange Alumni Uganda @USAlumniUganda]

Wishing you a great October,

May this month bring renewed energy, success in every project, and shared accomplishments that make us stronger as a team.

What project are you working on this month, let us hear about it.

[Green Africa Youth Organization (GAYO Uganda) @GayoUganda]

Insightful conversations unfolding at the Green Skills & Green Jobs Lecture, Makerere!

Panelists share practical experiences on climate action and entrepreneurship.

#Sustainability #YouthLeadership #GreenJobs #EcoClubs

[Green Africa Youth Organization (GAYO Uganda) @GayoUganda]

We concluded our #greenskills Public Lecture at @Makerere, bringing together passionate students and youth leaders to explore pathways in #greenjobs, climate entrepreneurship, and sustainable #innovation.

[hellen munyasa @hellenmunyasa]

Excited to join the @_AfricanUnion at the #ClimateAction Innovation Hub during the #ACS2 in Addis!
We’re showcasing African solutions to climate challenges by Africans, for Africa.
@SAIIA_info @CGIARAfrica @PACJA1 @GIZAfricanUnion @CAunionafriEN @CAunionafriFR
@Marc_Ben