About rise

We believe in the importance of a world where sustainable social businesses, created by local entrepreneurs, are provided with resources, knowledge, and the professional community needed to be successful and transformational in their communities

We aim to develop training and solutions that can address local needs and contribute to economic development.

who we are

Relationships Inspiring Social Enterprise (rise) is a US and Lesotho registered non-profit social enterprise. After 7 years of working in Southern & Eastern Africa, having experienced how under-resourced local social entrepreneurs are in rural and semi-rural environments, Daniela Gusman teamed up with two architects Pedro Clarke and Luca Astorri as well as entrepreneur Oliver Needs; President of BOND Events, to found rise.

what we do

Through our professional network in the design and architecture industry, we link aspiring entrepreneurs in vulnerable communities in low income sub-Saharan African countries to essential resources they do not otherwise have access to. Resources provided include technical and soft skills, business and entrepreneurship training, work experience in the built environment sector, mentorship, referrals to customers, access to market and other business incubation services. By working directly with individuals and their communities in a holistic manner, we aim to develop training and solutions that can address local needs and contribute to economic development.

why we do what we do

We seeks to solve the poor quality and lack of infrastructure by bringing locally skilled labour to work on architectural projects in rural areas thus improving the construction know-how within local communities. We aim to bridge the disconnect between tradespeople and professionals, bringing them together through a program called in loco that uses locally sourced talent and materials, striving to create an entrepreneurial mindset.

Photo of Flipchart of solutions during a Participatory Design Workshop
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