Growing up in an orphanage, Joan often found herself falling ill with Malaria, a disease that remains all too pervasive in her country of Uganda.
Malaria is still a significant contributor to mortality there, accounting for almost 20% of hospital deaths in the country. After attending a social entrepreneurship training, Joan was inspired to create a venture that would tackle the disease that she had constantly battled with in her younger years.
Joan’s company, Uganics, aims to combat malaria by producing anti-malaria products: a long lasting mosquito repellent soap for children and families. The mosquito repellent effects of the soap lasts up to 6 hours following a bath, and clothes and linen washed with the soap have the same effect.
Cognizant of the fact that the poorest in Uganda often lack funds to buy similar products, Joan created a two tier pricing system for tourists and locals. She sells the same products to visiting tourists at a premium, and uses some of the revenue to provide discounts to underprivileged Ugandans most in need of the products. She has so far partnered with 10 safari lodges who sell the product at more than a 100% profit to enable her to subsidize the product for those who need it most.
Uganics has so far carried out 4 malaria information campaigns and distributed 1000 free anti-repellent soaps to 120 families in rural districts of Uganda. Joan’s ultimate vision is to see a Uganda free from Malaria, starting with reducing malaria deaths in Uganda by 20% in the next 5 years.
