Carla Reinagel
Nationality: United States of America
Organization Name: Equip Mozambique
Impact Region: Eastern Africa
About the Social Business: Equip Mozambique is a sewing school that aims to empower disadvantaged women, especially widows and single mothers, to have a practical skill to support themselves and their families. The school is free for the ladies to attend, and when we sell the products that they make a percentage of the profits goes toward each student's account so they can buy a sewing machine upon graduation.
About the Y&Y Fellow: Carla Reinagel grew up in a family that cares about helping others, so it was only natural that she pursued a life in philanthropy. When she was 9, her family moved to Russia for a few years following the fall of communism, where her father taught business and entrepreneurship skills in a time they badly needed it. At age 18, she traveled to Bangladesh for a six-month trip of teaching English and figuring out what to do with the rest of my life.
She met her husband in college, and soon after getting married, they found ourselves in Mozambique, Africa, where she have been living for a total of 8 years now. She started with a relief organization, but after 3 years they decided to pursue more solutions in development work. They founded their own non-profit in 2014 and have focused on equipping national leaders to face the greatest challenges of their society.
In 2015, one Mozambican leader named Nora drew her attention to the plight of disadvantaged women in their community, especially widows. Many are left absolutely destitute when their husbands pass away, and with little education and few work options their lives are extremely difficult. Nora wanted to find some permanent solutions to help them out rather than see them consistently dependent on handouts for survival. Together, they created a sewing school that has been incredibly successful in turning these women’s lives around.
Carla read several of Mohammed Yunus’ books and took some classes with Philanthropy University to help navigate the challenges of starting something new. She's been excited with the testimonies of transformation in the lives of the 73 ladies who have been through the school to date, it’s so fulfilling to watch as they’ve gone from barely surviving to thriving.
In addition to sewing as a personal hobby, she spends time raising our three children (ages 10, 7, and 2), and she enjoys music, reading, and cooking.
Carla Reinagel
Nationality: United States of America
Organization Name: Equip Mozambique
Impact Region: Eastern Africa
About the Social Business: Equip Mozambique is a sewing school that aims to empower disadvantaged women, especially widows and single mothers, to have a practical skill to support themselves and their families. The school is free for the ladies to attend, and when we sell the products that they make a percentage of the profits goes toward each student's account so they can buy a sewing machine upon graduation.
About the Y&Y Fellow: Carla Reinagel grew up in a family that cares about helping others, so it was only natural that she pursued a life in philanthropy. When she was 9, her family moved to Russia for a few years following the fall of communism, where her father taught business and entrepreneurship skills in a time they badly needed it. At age 18, she traveled to Bangladesh for a six-month trip of teaching English and figuring out what to do with the rest of my life.
She met her husband in college, and soon after getting married, they found ourselves in Mozambique, Africa, where she have been living for a total of 8 years now. She started with a relief organization, but after 3 years they decided to pursue more solutions in development work. They founded their own non-profit in 2014 and have focused on equipping national leaders to face the greatest challenges of their society.
In 2015, one Mozambican leader named Nora drew her attention to the plight of disadvantaged women in their community, especially widows. Many are left absolutely destitute when their husbands pass away, and with little education and few work options their lives are extremely difficult. Nora wanted to find some permanent solutions to help them out rather than see them consistently dependent on handouts for survival. Together, they created a sewing school that has been incredibly successful in turning these women’s lives around.
Carla read several of Mohammed Yunus’ books and took some classes with Philanthropy University to help navigate the challenges of starting something new. She's been excited with the testimonies of transformation in the lives of the 73 ladies who have been through the school to date, it’s so fulfilling to watch as they’ve gone from barely surviving to thriving.
In addition to sewing as a personal hobby, she spends time raising our three children (ages 10, 7, and 2), and she enjoys music, reading, and cooking.