WEBVTT 00:04.199 --> 00:08.960 Yeah. So, um, I would just probably like, like you to just, like, introduce 00:09.019 --> 00:13.720 yourself because, like, we have read a couple of things online and, specifically, like you're the 00:13.779 --> 00:18.139 co-founder of Kosmopads. And I think you've won a couple of awards. 00:18.180 --> 00:23.039 And really, we, um, we read a couple of things about, like, your social venture, but I would like you 00:23.100 --> 00:27.979 to, like, tell us who is Blandine and, um, why should probably 00:28.000 --> 00:32.399 people be, like, interested in, like, your vision or your social, um, company? 00:32.399 --> 00:36.520 So, like, um, if you can go ahead and just, like, in your own words actually. 00:36.520 --> 00:38.159 That's what I'm, like, interested in. 00:39.919 --> 00:43.280 Yeah. Thank you so much. Uh, I'm Blandine Umuziranenge. 00:44.340 --> 00:46.620 I'm the founder and CEO of Kosmotive. 00:47.539 --> 00:51.120 It's a social enterprise based in Kigali, Rwanda. 00:51.719 --> 00:55.919 And among the initiatives we, um, we do is 00:55.959 --> 00:59.900 Kosmopads that I think is so now, like, now 01:00.319 --> 01:04.220 overtaking the brands, uh, known more than any other company. 01:04.879 --> 01:09.819 But yeah, our, like, the targets, uh, since I, I started 01:09.839 --> 01:11.059 in 2014, 01:12.319 --> 01:15.119 and the target was to improve maternal and child health. 01:15.739 --> 01:20.179 In later 2017, that's when I incorporated the menstrual health, 01:20.719 --> 01:25.140 uh, deeply, and 2018, uh, started now focusing on the 01:25.199 --> 01:26.239 Kosmopads. 01:27.259 --> 01:29.359 And my background is in IT, 01:30.339 --> 01:35.059 and from IT I went for business and the ICT, and that's 01:35.079 --> 01:39.600 where the idea came from. I had, like, I had a lot, so, like, the business, the 01:39.680 --> 01:44.619 IT, the communication. And my professional experience was in 01:44.680 --> 01:49.139 media, as an IT, but in media. So my network was journalists. 01:49.559 --> 01:52.039 I had IT, I had business, I had communication. 01:52.439 --> 01:57.339 So when I started 2014, it was just a magazine, Kosmos Magazine. 01:57.839 --> 01:59.739 So I started giving information, 02:00.519 --> 02:05.279 and from there, trying to sustain it and also to, to give the 02:05.319 --> 02:10.099 audience what they need the most. Um, I started making clothing for 02:10.159 --> 02:14.999 pregnant women and breastfeeding moms, uh, because the magazine was also about, like, 02:15.059 --> 02:18.979 uh, parenting, pregnancy, breastfeeding, all the things together. 02:19.819 --> 02:24.759 And I started making the clothing. And as I was learning to improve my, 02:24.939 --> 02:28.519 my writing skills, I wrote about a personal story. 02:28.519 --> 02:30.439 At the time I didn't have sanitary pads. 02:30.639 --> 02:35.519 And that's how, uh, now I started, you know, focusing on period poverty, learning about how the 02:35.559 --> 02:37.739 other girls are going through this. We may 02:38.479 --> 02:42.879 now have been looking at it really, like, bigger than my story. 02:42.979 --> 02:47.039 So my story changed at the end. It was like publishing it wasn't really my story. 02:47.039 --> 02:48.159 It was about, like, now 02:48.979 --> 02:53.439 the, the period poverty as, as like an issue to everyone, 02:53.859 --> 02:58.499 every woman. Uh, like an issue with, like, women's rights 02:58.519 --> 03:01.359 and their dignity and everything. 03:02.519 --> 03:02.879 And, 03:03.479 --> 03:08.199 uh, like before year 2017 I kept writing, improving my writing skills. 03:08.639 --> 03:13.319 And 2018 that's when I looked at am I going to keep publishing about girls 03:13.339 --> 03:17.899 missing school, or I can just try to close the gap. 03:17.899 --> 03:18.899 Or I will just 03:18.899 --> 03:19.279 [laughs] 03:19.279 --> 03:19.719 ... let's say 03:20.399 --> 03:24.879 reach, um, a fraction of the number that is traveling, but at least I can 03:24.879 --> 03:26.979 start. If other, 03:27.639 --> 03:32.499 other organizations or initiatives, um, join, we can, you know, we 03:32.519 --> 03:36.719 can close the gap together. And that's how I started Kosmopads. 03:37.279 --> 03:42.119 And the main purpose, uh, was, as I was writing, I found out 03:42.199 --> 03:42.499 that 03:43.159 --> 03:47.819 in Rwanda we had 18% of the girls and women missing school or 03:47.879 --> 03:50.319 work because they can't afford to buy menstrual products. 03:50.739 --> 03:55.439 So for me the target was really, like, how can I bring something that is cost effective? 03:55.859 --> 04:00.239 Because if I try to innovate something disposable, I, I don't have 04:00.299 --> 04:05.259 budget to create something that will really cut the cost if everyone has been trying 04:05.299 --> 04:09.739 and, uh, the 2 million people can't really afford all this time. 04:10.339 --> 04:14.359 Uh, so the main purpose for Kosmopads was the cost effectiveness. 04:15.299 --> 04:20.059 And they last for two years, so that's, like, that's cost... 04:20.239 --> 04:20.439 Like 04:21.059 --> 04:25.239 saving money comes in the, in the course of two years. 04:25.939 --> 04:29.179 But looking at, like, which products should I make? 04:29.339 --> 04:32.699 What's, like, the other side, like, the other attributes of the product? 04:33.219 --> 04:35.079 That's when I learned that actually 04:35.699 --> 04:39.859 some pads have chemicals. Actually there are people who are allergic 04:40.479 --> 04:42.999 to those chemicals in these other products. 04:43.259 --> 04:46.539 Actually the reusable ones are protecting the environment. 04:46.679 --> 04:50.979 So I kept learning about other attributes of really, like, what can I bring, 04:51.479 --> 04:55.639 uh, as I was designing the, um, like, the, the, the product. 04:56.079 --> 05:00.559 So we ended up now having a product that is saving cost, uh, offering 05:00.579 --> 05:03.519 comfort to, to people who are allergic to chemicals, 05:04.399 --> 05:08.939 and now saving money, um, and the environment at the same 05:08.999 --> 05:12.179 time. Uh, so from there, 05:12.879 --> 05:17.819 though, like, I had some other awards before, but I think from there I can just, like, jump 05:17.899 --> 05:22.499 to now, um, what it became. Sorry for the noise, I think it's going to 05:22.499 --> 05:24.159 become a lot. 05:24.959 --> 05:29.179 But yeah, like, from there, as, as I grow, now I, I, I 05:29.879 --> 05:30.999 came back to 05:32.919 --> 05:37.419 kind of, like, making a story because it was now a lot of 05:37.499 --> 05:42.319 things we, uh, we were working on. Now coming to, like, where should 05:42.399 --> 05:47.339 we put our focus? And what should be our story? 05:47.379 --> 05:52.359 Because in the beginning I would meet someone in, like, let's say I meet someone 05:52.659 --> 05:56.699 in the publishing meeting, because I have a magazine. 05:56.759 --> 06:01.659 Uh, but the other time we met when I was having the clothing for pregnant women or something like, 06:01.979 --> 06:06.365 like now fashion.... no, like everyone was like, "I thought you were in 06:06.405 --> 06:09.686 fashion. I thought that you were in IT. I thought you were in media. 06:10.405 --> 06:12.726 Now you're in pads." You know, exactly. 06:13.105 --> 06:14.765 And at the end, I had to like teach them like 06:15.485 --> 06:16.985 how... I tell my story 06:17.785 --> 06:22.746 for the people to look at me in the demographics on solving more 06:22.785 --> 06:27.705 than the solution I'm using or, uh, the product I'm bringing, because 06:27.765 --> 06:32.445 they were just like, they were more into the product, the solution more than like, we are solving 06:32.466 --> 06:35.886 this. We are helping women. We are improving women's health. 06:36.486 --> 06:39.785 So yeah, I had to like to, to put everything together 06:40.785 --> 06:45.465 and from there, uh, I think like different awards that we got i- 06:46.245 --> 06:51.046 included like some of like, um, like grants for, for supporting 06:51.085 --> 06:54.665 our, our, our growth, um, throughout the journey. 06:54.765 --> 06:59.685 Different projects we, we, we tested and didn't go through, 06:59.806 --> 07:02.205 uh, but at least we learned from that. 07:02.325 --> 07:03.085 We knew that 07:03.685 --> 07:08.205 this is actually this. Uh, by like 2019, I think that, that was the 07:08.226 --> 07:11.605 first, um, award that had exposure. 07:12.266 --> 07:17.066 Not because it was the first award I got, but I think it was the first they used Connect Africa 07:17.125 --> 07:20.005 Awards, because it was really a big audience. 07:20.005 --> 07:24.425 [door closes] And after that, uh, the Investor Impact 07:24.505 --> 07:28.265 Award, both they were like, uh, consecutive months in 07:28.306 --> 07:32.926 2019, and it was like for women's empowerment, and the Youth 07:32.965 --> 07:37.325 Connect was about women in innovation for girls. 07:37.865 --> 07:42.305 Uh, I think those were really like the bigger ones. We had COVID. 07:42.965 --> 07:46.045 That was another shift because 07:47.025 --> 07:51.706 our focus when I started, I was really like the target was, would be 07:51.706 --> 07:51.745 [laughs] 07:51.745 --> 07:54.985 ... distributing in schools, because girls are missing school. 07:55.025 --> 07:57.845 So our target was mainly, "Let's have, um, 07:58.486 --> 08:01.765 cooperation with schools." We would be like sitting through schools. 08:02.465 --> 08:05.385 Now, 2022 was another year for 08:05.985 --> 08:09.985 coming back to a business model because now schools were closed, and 08:10.745 --> 08:15.685 now we started now, we've built the website. We integrated the e-commerce. 08:16.305 --> 08:18.385 Uh, now we started even like now 08:19.065 --> 08:22.605 pushing... I don't need the noise. Maybe I'll call you back. 08:23.525 --> 08:24.285 Okay, well done. 08:25.745 --> 08:27.465 Okay, no, that's fine. 08:28.085 --> 08:28.105 I mean- 08:28.105 --> 08:28.105 It is just once. 08:28.105 --> 08:30.225 Yeah, no, no, no. There is no pause. 08:30.645 --> 08:30.665 You're welcome. 08:30.665 --> 08:33.445 Um, I mean like your story is so inspiring. 08:33.445 --> 08:37.385 I was just like wrapping, digesting all the ideas, and it's so... 08:37.445 --> 08:42.305 Like it's inspiring and like it's fueled with passion from the fact that probably like, I think, I 08:42.325 --> 08:47.105 guess you started writing for like, because you probably wanted to grow your skill, probably wanted to put 08:47.105 --> 08:51.785 yourself out there. But then in doing that, you actually identified a problem, and you're like, 08:51.785 --> 08:56.465 "Okay, how can I help like girls like in Rwanda?" Probably like making them be- 08:56.605 --> 09:01.525 being more aware or like, like you were just navigating that space, and then you actually found a real 09:01.545 --> 09:06.285 problem, and then you diverse. Like, I think it's a good example of like, it's kind of like start 09:06.605 --> 09:09.345 as an entrepreneur. You first of all start like touching everywhere. 09:09.665 --> 09:12.845 Then you identify like a true problem, and then now you start diving into it. 09:12.845 --> 09:13.025 And 09:13.825 --> 09:18.765 I think when Raissa, Raissa was talking to me about like what you do, I was like, "This 09:18.785 --> 09:23.585 is so cool." Because I didn't even know, know there was like reusable pads and stuff 09:23.645 --> 09:28.105 like, and I did not know like that, like those issues, like girls actually missing school 09:28.265 --> 09:30.525 because like they don't like, because of their period. 09:30.825 --> 09:35.385 And it was so interesting, and she actually mentioned that you guys started by like 09:35.565 --> 09:40.025 educating like people how to like properly take care of themself, or probably like how to make the 09:40.045 --> 09:44.545 reusable pad. But then there's some issues, so you actually turn into like, um, 09:44.685 --> 09:49.485 producing it. So like, it's really interesting, and yeah, I can, we can 09:49.545 --> 09:54.285 continue this, the discussion by me just like asking my next question, which is, 09:54.285 --> 09:54.625 um, 09:55.545 --> 10:00.465 so, um, how like we've read, I, I, I don't, I'm not sure exactly where 10:00.465 --> 10:05.365 again, but that Kosmopads grew like from a team from three to probably like about 10:05.645 --> 10:08.045 100 employers. I don't know if employees. 10:08.045 --> 10:12.625 I don't know if you already made the goal of like 100 employees, but we would like to know like what was the 10:12.705 --> 10:15.185 biggest challenge in like scaling 10:15.825 --> 10:20.585 like in Rwanda? Just like you said, you started like nobody knew about like, um, like, 10:21.085 --> 10:25.965 um, recycle, recycling, like pads you can recycle, and how did you 10:26.105 --> 10:27.605 start like changing that mentality? 10:27.605 --> 10:32.525 Because it's difficult for people to like adopting new products, so I would like to know that, about that. 10:33.865 --> 10:38.845 Um, yeah, like, so starting that 2019, that's when I, I had 10:38.865 --> 10:43.825 like three, because before that I had like contributors mainly, like people working on 10:43.905 --> 10:47.145 projects or volunteering. That was not really permanent. 10:47.165 --> 10:51.265 So 2019, that's when I had the three working on Kosmopads full time. 10:51.885 --> 10:52.185 Yeah. 10:52.805 --> 10:54.745 And, uh, from there, 10:55.425 --> 11:00.045 so we had like different like, um, going through different challenges, growths, 11:00.585 --> 11:04.905 um, different things, see 2022 when we had, 11:05.485 --> 11:08.585 um, like a funding for our growth plan. 11:09.505 --> 11:10.805 And we grew the team, 11:11.525 --> 11:15.325 um, to produce like more and be able to reach more. 11:15.805 --> 11:16.845 So we've had 11:17.845 --> 11:18.825 a permanent team, 11:19.565 --> 11:24.445 and we've had other like women cooperative in three different districts in rural areas that 11:24.465 --> 11:29.385 we sent to make the pads. Because our plan was if, if there's 11:29.405 --> 11:34.205 a big order in the western province, you don't need to, to be like 11:34.245 --> 11:36.825 delivering from Kigali. You can still do this. 11:36.865 --> 11:41.665 It would be just like we, we send you materials, you do the production and 11:41.805 --> 11:45.765 distributing. Uh, so that's where the number became bigger. 11:46.085 --> 11:50.825 It's, it didn't stay like as a, like a full-time thing, but it was more a 11:50.925 --> 11:52.545 let's enable more women 11:53.305 --> 11:57.905 to be able to make these pads. Uh, and also, more women to, 11:58.045 --> 12:02.665 to, to be kind of like the community agents in distributing, uh, 12:02.665 --> 12:06.679 distribution of these pads.Yeah. I- it was mainly that 12:07.159 --> 12:11.699 and, um, you know, like, till now as you mentioned 12:12.539 --> 12:17.239 the, this first thing about working on something that is stigmatized, 12:17.759 --> 12:20.419 or, like, a topic that's, like, people don't even want. 12:20.579 --> 12:25.540 Even if it's, like, the product are used to a topic that they don't just, like, freely 12:25.600 --> 12:26.260 talk about 12:27.279 --> 12:31.959 plus now bringing a new product. Um, and now a new 12:32.019 --> 12:36.979 product that is bringing... that has another phase because most of 12:37.000 --> 12:41.799 the time it's, like, the first person who talks about reusable pads, they were like, "Those 12:41.819 --> 12:42.719 pads are for poor." 12:43.779 --> 12:45.659 And it's not like the pads for poor. 12:46.259 --> 12:47.360 First, like, now 12:48.020 --> 12:52.759 changing that name or the phrase they've put to it, it was the 12:52.779 --> 12:56.879 first thing. And for us, the thing that helped the most, 12:57.879 --> 12:59.259 it was, like, someone, 13:00.419 --> 13:01.959 uh, who choose to buy it 13:02.579 --> 13:03.780 not because they are poor. 13:04.579 --> 13:07.840 Uh, sometimes it will be, like, let's say a friend buys it 13:08.559 --> 13:12.439 or someone who is allergic to chemicals in disposable pads. 13:12.479 --> 13:16.879 Like, "You know, I have issues with these pads. Let me try this," the two of them. 13:16.879 --> 13:21.279 Someone who really, like, is wealthy, they don't have any issues with the cost effectiveness. 13:21.780 --> 13:26.220 Um, now they come, they buy and they are the one who is talking about, 13:27.099 --> 13:31.659 uh, about, like, how the pads felt, the change that they, they didn't 13:31.860 --> 13:36.720 know, the comfort and everything. So they have been helping us more than any other 13:36.759 --> 13:41.140 marketing we could do. Someone being able to be like, "How should I use it? 13:41.179 --> 13:45.919 Do you know?" And we just give the, the, that real experience about, 13:45.919 --> 13:50.760 "Do you know when you use it, it's different from this?" Because they have been using both, they 13:50.860 --> 13:55.739 know, uh, when they are talking about the, uh, discomfort, the other person 13:55.799 --> 14:00.459 knows what they are talking about. So that has been helping, but also on 14:00.639 --> 14:05.619 our hand, we keep talking about it because we know changing mindsets as much, like, you 14:05.659 --> 14:07.339 want something, you really want them. 14:07.819 --> 14:10.819 Uh, we kept, like, like, talking, having programs, 14:11.699 --> 14:15.939 uh, on, like, on media, whether it's traditional or, um, 14:16.279 --> 14:16.999 digital. 14:17.899 --> 14:22.679 And last year because we he- we, uh, we have been talking about it, but it's still 14:22.739 --> 14:25.339 something someone might, you know, you might... 14:25.919 --> 14:30.599 Some people would we start talking about, we, we make reusable sanitary pads and the first response is 14:30.599 --> 14:34.939 like, "I can't wash." Yet the approach wasn't about selling to them. 14:35.099 --> 14:39.179 It was just more about, "Okay, we have this product." Uh, maybe they are 14:39.179 --> 14:41.479 policymakers or they have another influence. 14:41.479 --> 14:41.859 We are not 14:42.759 --> 14:47.439 trying to pursue them to buy. We just tell them because there's a pro- a 14:47.519 --> 14:50.779 product, but, like, the first response is like, "No, no, no, I can't use it." 14:50.779 --> 14:51.339 [laughs] 14:51.379 --> 14:55.759 And I'm like, "We do tell you to use it." But, like, most of the time 14:56.339 --> 14:57.259 someone wi- 14:57.959 --> 14:58.199 uh, like, 14:59.379 --> 15:00.559 no one has been... 15:01.159 --> 15:05.959 has ever, um, like complained about, like, the comfort or the, the 15:05.959 --> 15:10.879 quality of the product. It's more of that thing about, you know, if they, they 15:10.879 --> 15:15.559 are used to just using and throwing, if they feel like they can't wash, 15:16.339 --> 15:20.559 it's someone who has a choice. You know? Because they, they have a choice. 15:20.699 --> 15:23.559 They have the, the, the ability to buy the other ones. 15:23.619 --> 15:26.419 That's why they feel like, "No, I can't wash." Because they have something... 15:26.539 --> 15:28.599 They can afford something that they can't wash. 15:28.959 --> 15:33.539 But on the other hand, there's a, 2 million people who don't even have 15:33.659 --> 15:35.399 access to that. You know? 15:35.439 --> 15:35.699 Yeah. 15:35.759 --> 15:40.639 For them, there is nothing about, "I can't wash," because they've been washing worse than that. 15:41.239 --> 15:43.399 So for them, they don't have any issue. 15:43.959 --> 15:45.139 If there is any, 15:45.999 --> 15:47.059 any, uh, 15:47.679 --> 15:50.999 any request from them, it will be about the prices. 15:51.359 --> 15:55.939 Uh, let's say, uh, "If I can't afford the whole package, may I pay in 15:56.259 --> 16:01.119 installment?" Those are the, the only, like, requests we get from the person who don't feel like, "You 16:01.119 --> 16:03.579 know, I have luxury to choose any product." 16:04.239 --> 16:05.579 Uh, but last year, 16:06.619 --> 16:11.079 because, like, our story alone, you know, like, me standing up talking, it will be kind of the 16:11.079 --> 16:13.859 same, same way I talk about that thing. 16:14.159 --> 16:17.579 And if someone feels like they can't wash, they will still feel bad they can't wash. 16:17.879 --> 16:20.299 Last year we started working with, uh, poets. 16:20.819 --> 16:23.079 So we had, like, the whole campaign in May 16:23.999 --> 16:28.559 about menstrual hygiene, uh, for the Menstrual Hygiene Day and we were working with 16:28.659 --> 16:32.799 poets now to bring it art- like, in an artistic way 16:33.419 --> 16:35.959 and we, we, we, we saw a big turn. 16:36.639 --> 16:41.079 There's someone who when they come, I'm like, "Oh, girls are missing school." They see my ... 16:41.539 --> 16:41.839 Yep, yeah. I can see. No, that's great. 16:41.839 --> 16:46.739 ... cover this. They don't relate. But someone may just bring, like, one poem 16:47.739 --> 16:52.599 and they can be able to feel it. So it was really, like, different how we can use art 16:53.219 --> 16:56.619 to, like, to, to, like, kind of like- 16:56.959 --> 16:58.119 Ta- yeah, I need to go 16:58.119 --> 16:58.119 ... 16:58.119 --> 16:58.119 Yeah 16:58.119 --> 16:59.539 ... introduce the mindset as well as- 16:59.539 --> 16:59.679 Sorry 16:59.679 --> 17:03.619 ... mindset, but, like, using art for people to relate. 17:03.779 --> 17:07.919 Because otherwise if they don't feel like they relate, if they don't, 17:08.759 --> 17:13.359 like, feel anything that we make them connect to, uh, the story you 17:13.359 --> 17:18.039 tell, it's like sometimes it gets hard to even take 17:18.139 --> 17:21.199 action. So for us, we, we have been, like, using that. 17:21.219 --> 17:25.879 This year, we are now, uh, working with, like, any, like, painting, 17:26.039 --> 17:30.539 mural artists. We are, we are trying to have any sort of arts, 17:31.039 --> 17:31.179 uh- 17:31.199 --> 17:31.219 Yeah 17:31.219 --> 17:35.959 ... to hear people. If, if something is stigmatized, they, they can talk about it at 17:36.019 --> 17:39.119 least, "Uh, do you look this picture and relate? 17:39.159 --> 17:43.999 Do you hear this piece of art and feel like you can feel the pain?" 17:44.039 --> 17:47.399 Or something like that or embrace womanhood. 17:47.699 --> 17:49.579 So we are trying to have any, 17:50.299 --> 17:53.959 any sort of way that we can help first for people to, 17:54.719 --> 17:58.059 to make the conversation normal, like, have a conversation. 17:58.059 --> 18:02.999 Because when you can't talk about something, you can't even be able to know that someone is 18:03.059 --> 18:07.919 lacking something, so normalizing the conversation and as 18:07.939 --> 18:12.545 we also-... mobilize boys to be allies, because like for 18:13.086 --> 18:17.685 rural areas, for primary schools, high school, for them sometimes they're going 18:17.905 --> 18:22.566 miss school not because they can't have like something to use at all, but 18:22.586 --> 18:27.365 because last time they bullied her because, you know, it's themed and they 18:27.365 --> 18:32.145 bullied her. Now every time it happens, she's like, "I don't want to be bullied again." So now 18:32.205 --> 18:37.125 if we are mobilizing the work, this is a normal part of the girl, everything already, 18:38.165 --> 18:42.965 because we can't control what we do after, at least also i- 18:43.185 --> 18:46.286 like empower girls to know how to stand tall. 18:46.725 --> 18:51.665 Uh, when, when there is bullying, remember that you have to embrace your wo- womanhood. 18:51.845 --> 18:55.845 Like on both sides, uh, this, this is normal, don't bully her. 18:56.025 --> 19:00.645 But also on her side, uh, even if they bully you, you know, 19:00.985 --> 19:03.365 it's still something normal, something to celebrate. 19:03.745 --> 19:06.186 Now, like having both, both sides, 19:06.865 --> 19:10.965 and also the community to be really, uh, offering a 19:10.985 --> 19:14.705 period-friendly environment for everyone who's menstruating. 19:15.905 --> 19:18.065 Okay. Oh, that, that's very interesting. 19:18.065 --> 19:18.445 I think 19:19.045 --> 19:23.605 in all, you know, like in all, it means the main like challenge was really like changing the 19:23.645 --> 19:28.485 narrative, and it's actually like one issue that we face at like one of the companies I work 19:28.545 --> 19:33.305 for where we kind of like connect African developers to Euro, um, American developers. 19:33.305 --> 19:38.145 And the main issue we usually face is like they don't really think that African developers can get the work 19:38.165 --> 19:41.165 done, and really I see that that's really what, um, 19:41.905 --> 19:46.725 you have been facing. And just to highlight a couple of things that, um, just for like the, our listeners 19:46.765 --> 19:51.705 is like, um, okay, the first thing was really like changing the narities, the narrative, sorry. 19:52.085 --> 19:56.785 And like the first customers you got, those people that actually bought it not 19:56.805 --> 20:01.605 because they were poor, but just like try it, or just probably those people that were allergic to it. 20:01.605 --> 20:06.505 It means that like they loved it, and that's what kind of like start pro, um, pushing the word out 20:06.605 --> 20:11.245 there, which highlights the, the importance of like creating like quality product and that your first 20:11.245 --> 20:16.145 customers are really important because those are the ones that actually I push, um, the narrative 20:16.185 --> 20:20.885 out there. And I think there, there is this one story that, um, Raissa, 20:21.165 --> 20:25.885 um, highlighted. So I... Yeah, so I would just like say Raissa, like I've mentioned 20:25.905 --> 20:30.685 Raissa a lot. Probably just for our listener, Raissa also works at Kosmopads, and she's one of 20:30.725 --> 20:31.105 like... 20:31.765 --> 20:35.125 Yeah, she works at Kosmopads, and she's the one that introduced me to Blandine. 20:35.125 --> 20:39.965 So she mentioned about this fact that, um, people usually consider period 20:40.045 --> 20:44.725 as nasty, but then when like people that have, have actually like used 20:44.785 --> 20:49.665 reusable pads, and after they gone through like the process of like washing them, they kind of 20:49.705 --> 20:54.505 start feeling that that's a normal thing, that it's just blood and it's just like a normal 20:54.765 --> 20:59.665 feeling. That, that, that change of m- mentality and having more people having like that change of m- 20:59.765 --> 21:04.565 mentality that, um, p- a- like period is something normal, and even 21:04.585 --> 21:09.465 having guys talk about it and really feel that it's normal, it's just overall going to 21:09.465 --> 21:14.405 like help the girl child, and also like help stop like the issue of like somebody won't go for 21:14.425 --> 21:16.245 school just because like you're on your period. 21:16.265 --> 21:19.525 So, oh, that's a very interesting story. 21:19.745 --> 21:19.905 Um- 21:19.985 --> 21:21.605 Yeah, I think- 21:21.625 --> 21:21.905 Yeah. 21:22.185 --> 21:27.165 It's really like, yeah, I, I love that Raissa came back to, uh, like to 21:27.245 --> 21:31.725 that. It, it's... Like every time I feel like when someone doesn't know, 21:32.225 --> 21:34.845 they might not even understand what it is, but 21:35.785 --> 21:40.525 for us when we grew up, the first thing we, we, the first thing we, you know, 21:40.585 --> 21:44.345 like experienced was that s-, that pad with chemicals. 21:44.765 --> 21:45.005 Yeah. 21:45.245 --> 21:48.505 Now the chemicals, like the first time we bled, 21:49.525 --> 21:53.525 we, we just had a pad. We had a period on chemicals. 21:53.625 --> 21:57.805 You had a smell, and some people had rashes because it was irritated. 21:57.965 --> 22:01.805 So that's the experience of the, the period, and that's the story. 22:02.205 --> 22:07.165 You want to talk to, to your friend, and you, you know you can't even talk loud because you 22:07.225 --> 22:11.505 know it becomes nasty, everything. Until you have a different 22:11.565 --> 22:12.405 product. 22:12.925 --> 22:13.105 Yeah. 22:13.145 --> 22:18.085 And now the first time like someone is talking to the other person, you can see everyone will 22:18.085 --> 22:22.825 be like, "Actually, I didn't... You know, I didn't, like, feel the, the smell." And it'll be 22:22.945 --> 22:26.165 something someone highlights, and it feels really different. 22:26.565 --> 22:31.385 And the first person who is like, "I can't wash..." It's just like, like in the mind, that 22:31.545 --> 22:33.705 thing, that smell, that rash, that... 22:33.705 --> 22:35.945 All those, like, bad things they think 22:36.545 --> 22:39.565 that they, they, they feel when they're, uh, bleeding. 22:39.925 --> 22:44.625 And I think that's what they, like we- we've had as like a picture on our 22:44.665 --> 22:49.525 pad, like on our period. Until they, when they get a chance 22:49.625 --> 22:54.005 to let's try. Some of them will be just on, let's say, on a tour. 22:54.405 --> 22:58.325 They get their period, and they're like, "Do you have a pad?" And they have a reusable. 22:58.525 --> 23:03.045 Like, "I have a reusable." They use it just because they didn't have something else, and 23:03.525 --> 23:08.385 next time, they'll be the ones who come back to tell me, "Actually, it was this, this, this." So 23:08.445 --> 23:09.565 now being able to, 23:10.205 --> 23:15.065 to experience the difference, and like washing one time, two times, three 23:15.085 --> 23:19.585 times, and coming back with a different story about, "Actually, 23:20.045 --> 23:24.885 you know, I, I got used to my blood. I now feel like, you know, it's something 23:24.965 --> 23:29.885 normal." Uh, now that pe- people even start now embracing it, you know, 23:29.885 --> 23:34.005 whether they are like, "You know how we know if I, I'm not healthy? 23:34.085 --> 23:36.445 Because the blood changes depending on... 23:36.445 --> 23:41.405 You know, with the period, the blood will change if I'm not, if I'm sick, and so I'm having 23:41.445 --> 23:43.565 this and this." Nowadays that now, 23:44.225 --> 23:46.765 like, a different relationship with themselves. 23:47.825 --> 23:48.365 Hi, Meli. 23:49.525 --> 23:49.965 Yeah [laughs] . 23:50.445 --> 23:54.565 Hello, I did not want to interrupt you. I'm so sorry. 23:54.685 --> 23:58.125 I got stuck in traffic and everything, but 23:59.325 --> 24:03.225 yeah, I'm so happy to be here with you all. Hello, Peng. 24:04.065 --> 24:08.685 Yeah, I guess it was your plan to make me lead the conversation. Normally, this is not a guys' topic. 24:08.685 --> 24:09.045 [laughs] 24:09.045 --> 24:09.925 But that's fine. 24:09.925 --> 24:10.565 Yeah. 24:10.565 --> 24:14.591 I've, I've learned, I've learnt a lot.Yeah. Um, I think just thinking back to, like, one thing... 24:14.631 --> 24:17.751 I'm going to summarize what we have gone through, um, so far. 24:17.751 --> 24:21.951 But there's one thing I want to point that Blandine mentioned, which I actually did not know. 24:22.371 --> 24:22.391 Mm-hmm. 24:22.391 --> 24:27.232 So, like, the fact that, um, like the bad odor usually that comes from pad is usually 24:27.251 --> 24:31.811 because, like, most pads use, like, some chemicals and that combination probably with the blood 24:32.171 --> 24:36.912 or, like, the what, the chemical that try, tries to, like, keep the pad dry, that's what causes the bad 24:36.971 --> 24:41.711 odor. From the aspect that when you use actual natural pad, there's literally no 24:41.831 --> 24:46.671 bad odors. So I'm like, "I did not know that." And I'm like, "Okay, so it means that, that's 24:46.671 --> 24:50.812 a... In fact, that's a very good plus and it's really good to know." Um, 24:51.691 --> 24:56.471 so it's like, just give you a recap. Um, we just, like, went through introduction with Blandine, 24:56.732 --> 25:01.671 and she kind of, like, started telling how, like, her story, how she started, um, like, from the, 25:01.711 --> 25:05.751 um, cos- I'm sorry, from the, like, the publication, like... 25:05.791 --> 25:07.931 Sorry, I'm losing my word. From, 25:08.711 --> 25:12.711 um, like from the publication. I think you meant... I'm losing my word. 25:12.931 --> 25:13.851 That she started from like- 25:13.851 --> 25:14.491 From the magazine. 25:14.491 --> 25:16.851 Yeah, the magazine, that was, that was the word I was looking for, yeah. 25:17.031 --> 25:21.931 From the online magazine educating girls and trying to, like, create that impact. 25:21.931 --> 25:26.791 And then from the point where she actually noticed that they can create an impact by, um, probably, like, 25:26.831 --> 25:31.531 teaching people how to make pad or even, like, producing eco-friendly pad which is 25:31.551 --> 25:36.371 reusable, which is not expensive, especially for people that cannot afford it, and 25:36.411 --> 25:38.871 really, like, drive that social impact. 25:39.351 --> 25:44.311 So, um, yeah, that's so far what we have gone through and, just, I have learned a lot, 25:44.371 --> 25:46.311 so I guess you're going to watch it and see. 25:46.771 --> 25:49.051 Um, so, going to my next question is about, like, 25:49.831 --> 25:54.771 the social impact. I really want to, like, hear from you, like, um, like a measure, 25:54.931 --> 25:57.371 like, what's your own measure of, like, impact? 25:57.651 --> 26:00.451 Is it the number of girls you have helped, like, reach out? 26:00.451 --> 26:02.671 Is it, like, your pur- purchase number? 26:03.091 --> 26:08.071 Or is it like, for example, like, have you heard about, like, the attendance of certain school 26:08.231 --> 26:10.871 increase just because, like, you have been distributing pad? 26:10.871 --> 26:14.411 Because I know that there have been a couple of donations on your website. 26:14.411 --> 26:18.771 So, like, by the way, I would like to, uh, encourage everyone to, like, if you- if you're watching this, just 26:18.831 --> 26:23.431 go ahead, like, I'll link it. You just go ahead and donate, like, to Kosmopads. 26:23.451 --> 26:25.471 So is it like... How do you measure, like... 26:25.471 --> 26:29.031 How have you been measuring your, like, your social, um, impact 26:30.251 --> 26:31.831 overall for the past few years? 26:33.311 --> 26:38.031 So, um, like, for our impact, first, like, the easy way to 26:38.131 --> 26:41.971 count is the number of girls or women reached with our pads. 26:42.731 --> 26:47.551 Uh, that's one. Uh, we are sure that at least for the next two years they have something to 26:47.571 --> 26:52.071 use, they won't miss school, don't miss out on, uh, their, um, normal 26:52.091 --> 26:53.831 activities or even meeting 26:54.571 --> 26:55.371 other people. 26:56.251 --> 27:00.331 So that's one. And apart from that, we go back... 27:00.331 --> 27:04.311 When it's, let's say, schools, we go back, we document the impacts. 27:04.351 --> 27:09.131 We even share, uh, some videos on our YouTube about girls even 27:09.191 --> 27:13.531 giving their, like, testimonials about, like, how did it go, the 27:13.531 --> 27:18.191 difference. Now, you know, by giving out products, the first thing we might 27:18.191 --> 27:23.131 think that is easy is just like, "They got a pad, now they have something to use 27:23.171 --> 27:25.231 during their periods and they come to school." 27:26.331 --> 27:31.271 But the difference is more, uh, like some of their own words they use, it 27:31.331 --> 27:32.171 was more by, 27:32.811 --> 27:37.531 uh, "Now I can't, uh, feel like that fear about having periods." 27:37.851 --> 27:38.311 Because 27:38.931 --> 27:43.851 some other time it was more, "Well, it's not that I didn't have anything, but I didn't even know 27:43.911 --> 27:48.791 my cycle." Or, um, you know, if they, if 27:48.831 --> 27:53.711 they have, let's say, a piece of clothes, but they don't know even their cycle, still it 27:53.731 --> 27:54.171 will, 27:54.931 --> 27:59.791 like, it will come unexpected. Uh, even if we give them the product, they don't 27:59.871 --> 28:04.051 know when they're having their periods. They might leave it home and they get it. 28:04.351 --> 28:09.031 Now, having also, like, that knowledge about it and the confidence, I, I 28:09.311 --> 28:14.151 think most of the time when you go back, like, that confidence, uh, they get with like 28:14.171 --> 28:16.951 having a product, but also knowing what they're going through. 28:17.511 --> 28:18.991 Um, but also, like, 28:20.171 --> 28:20.971 you can see, like, 28:21.811 --> 28:25.611 I don't know, like, kind of like restoring their dignity again. 28:26.111 --> 28:30.991 It's like, like, "I, I know for sure I will be bleeding, but no one will 28:30.991 --> 28:34.391 bully me for this." Or, uh, "This is normal. 28:34.431 --> 28:39.291 Anyone I know," uh, it's the same conversation. Everyone is now understanding that. 28:39.671 --> 28:42.311 I, I think like, like, apart from like the health, 28:43.171 --> 28:48.051 uh, the, like, being able to attend, uh, school, there is that, that confidence in 28:48.091 --> 28:52.431 the, like, the confidence in everything about, like, um, their life 28:52.551 --> 28:55.891 chances, uh, believing that now they can, 28:56.651 --> 29:00.751 they can do anything. Uh, it's just like one other thing. 29:00.811 --> 29:05.651 And apart from the social, we also now, uh, record the 29:05.711 --> 29:07.951 environmental impact. Um, 29:09.251 --> 29:13.631 I don't know, I think, uh, I talked about, like, no, like, they can use it for two years 29:13.811 --> 29:14.251 but 29:16.051 --> 29:20.491 10 years is not account of... They can use it for 120 29:20.531 --> 29:25.331 washes. So it's like using one Kosmopads actually someone could use 29:26.031 --> 29:29.311 between 100 and 120 disposable pads. 29:29.771 --> 29:32.531 And now we go back to what the disposable pads, 29:33.391 --> 29:38.091 uh, mean to the environment because they're recorded, like, as 29:38.151 --> 29:43.131 one, one disposable pad is recorded to impact the environment as four plastic 29:43.231 --> 29:47.431 bags. So now going back to when we make Kosmo 29:47.431 --> 29:52.351 Pads and distribute it and it's in use, uh, the amount of 29:52.711 --> 29:57.651 plastic bags that we are now preventing, um, to, like, to 29:57.711 --> 30:02.331 pollute the environment. So it's just, like, that record about how much 30:02.731 --> 30:06.891 are we preventing, uh, to, about the pollution. 30:07.551 --> 30:08.211 How many 30:09.231 --> 30:12.671 lives are we supporting with, like, their menstrual health? 30:13.011 --> 30:15.091 How many girls or women are now 30:15.931 --> 30:20.291 continuing, like, going back to school or their, uh, their work? 30:20.771 --> 30:25.421 Uh, but-The most important thing that we don't get how to 30:25.441 --> 30:26.582 record but, 30:27.281 --> 30:32.002 uh, that we feel most of the time when we interact with them, um, in a 30:32.201 --> 30:35.921 positive way, uh, it's that confidence. 30:36.521 --> 30:41.082 That thing that they show that, like, anyone can see, just 30:41.082 --> 30:45.661 understand or quantify, uh, when someone is not able to even 30:45.701 --> 30:50.522 explain what's happening, what's happening when they don't have that one, like small 30:50.661 --> 30:54.341 pack of something that they would need every month. 30:54.701 --> 30:59.321 I think that's merely that. For the 0.35 it's easy to really like 30:59.401 --> 31:02.501 count, we distribute at this number and now we got this. 31:02.981 --> 31:07.762 Uh, but like for those cold ones, it just will go back, when it's 31:07.762 --> 31:10.142 schools, communities, will go back, will get 31:10.961 --> 31:12.941 a conversation together when they 31:13.001 --> 31:13.841 Mm-hmm 31:13.841 --> 31:18.782 ... are lowers me, be quiet and we share with the audience or like anyone else to even 31:18.821 --> 31:23.641 hear from themselves what's, like what's happening exactly. 31:24.121 --> 31:27.661 Uh, what does it mean when you give to one girl? 31:27.661 --> 31:32.461 What does it mean to their families? Because parents will tell you, "Now I can't 31:32.621 --> 31:34.101 travel about, oh 31:34.901 --> 31:39.861 how am I going to get another 1,000 every month, uh, for my daughter?" 31:40.261 --> 31:45.121 So, it's, it's just like different things that can come together but those are 31:45.141 --> 31:47.401 the main ones that we record. 31:48.541 --> 31:50.601 And the number of jobs created. 31:51.401 --> 31:53.541 Definitely. Thank you so much, Valenzue. 31:53.561 --> 31:56.541 And what you're doing at Kosmopads is truly incredible. 31:56.581 --> 32:01.561 And like you mentioned, the numbers are easy to measure but what's more 32:01.601 --> 32:06.581 difficult to like, um, like put a number on it is the number 32:06.701 --> 32:09.961 of, like what truly matters is not the numbers. 32:09.981 --> 32:14.741 Like how many women you've reached but like the social impact you have such as the YouTube testimonials 32:14.841 --> 32:18.021 and the, the impact that it has on the environment. 32:18.041 --> 32:22.841 And obviously, the number of, um, women that you've reached too matters a lot. 32:23.121 --> 32:27.981 And I don't know, I just really want to point out what you're doing is truly incredible because I 32:28.001 --> 32:32.861 remember when I was in, like when I just had my period and, 32:33.001 --> 32:35.321 you know, I was used to, like, using the, 32:35.961 --> 32:39.701 I don't know how I should call it. Should I say chemical pads? Anyway, the normal pads. 32:39.881 --> 32:44.481 And one time, in school, there was this NGO that came to school and they gave us 32:44.501 --> 32:49.161 a reusable pad. I was shocked. I was like, "What is this?" And my mom, she was also 32:49.261 --> 32:53.801 equally shocked because she has never heard of something like that during her time and, 32:54.021 --> 32:58.361 like, it's true that, um, she did not know that it's, it's like a business model. 32:58.681 --> 33:03.481 So, because, you know, when in her day, she was like, they used to just reuse your own cloths and stuff 33:03.521 --> 33:07.901 like that. But now you've taken that whole concept and built it into something 33:08.121 --> 33:13.001 huge, something that it's like girls can feel comfortable using it and not because they 33:13.001 --> 33:16.001 will like, feel ashamed to use a reusable pad or something like that. 33:16.001 --> 33:20.741 So, it's truly incredible. Now, um, for our next ques- please, 33:20.781 --> 33:25.481 we'll go a little bit over time because the conversation is just going and we scheduled for 33:25.501 --> 33:30.441 30 minutes so we may just, we have, uh, two more questions to answer or two or 33:30.441 --> 33:35.161 three, then we'll be over. So, for our next question, we want to know about your 33:35.181 --> 33:39.141 funding journey 'cause, uh, that was about the early days of Kosmopads. 33:39.421 --> 33:44.241 What strategies did you use as a startup to secure funding and to 33:44.301 --> 33:47.201 just keep the whole business afloat? 33:47.821 --> 33:52.261 So, how did you, like, did you face any challenges when convincing 33:52.321 --> 33:55.961 investors to believe in your vision and actually invest in you? 33:56.301 --> 34:00.761 So, how did you go about that? How, how did you go about securing funding? 34:03.141 --> 34:06.441 Uh, so yeah. Thank you so much also for sharing. 34:07.001 --> 34:10.601 Uh, the first, I was more into information. 34:10.641 --> 34:12.861 Like, increasing access to information. 34:13.281 --> 34:17.321 So, the first one, they were just more about like, the information, the tech. 34:17.361 --> 34:22.321 Uh, and at the end when I started focusing now on like, what's the 34:22.341 --> 34:25.601 most urgent issue to solve, it was like this. 34:25.841 --> 34:26.681 And I think 34:27.801 --> 34:31.881 if you read like, different thing, there was like, there have been resilience, yes. 34:32.381 --> 34:35.221 There has been first like solving the issue that is there 34:35.841 --> 34:39.481 because it's obvious. It's not like, um, a manmade thing. 34:39.481 --> 34:41.401 It's, it's just like, it's, it's happening. 34:41.801 --> 34:46.321 Uh, so it, like, the i- the first thing was about like the resilience and 34:47.181 --> 34:52.041 trying to look really, uh, for me, I leverage all the networks I 34:52.041 --> 34:56.801 get. So, from the one, I make sure that I, I stay 34:56.901 --> 35:01.701 true to, uh, to my values. I deliver what I promised I would 35:01.721 --> 35:06.181 deliver. Because every time that the first network 35:06.701 --> 35:09.101 recommended to the other, it's easier. 35:09.101 --> 35:13.761 Like, it goes straight when they recommend you, different from when you 35:13.821 --> 35:15.761 tap there yourself. So, I make sure that 35:16.701 --> 35:21.621 I, I, I like, I serve the promise I, I have given to the 35:21.701 --> 35:26.441 first finder or any other opportunity I got to, to make it easier for them 35:26.581 --> 35:31.421 to be like, "Actually I can recommend this to any other opportunity." And I really 35:31.461 --> 35:36.401 leverage, um, the com- like, the networks I get, the community I get because that's how 35:36.421 --> 35:41.261 I got, uh, connected to different opportunities within Rwanda 35:41.301 --> 35:42.641 or, uh, abroad. 35:43.861 --> 35:48.781 And, uh, apart from that, I kept like, you know, I don't, like, I 35:48.861 --> 35:53.781 just keep looking for different other ways and try to strategize in, 35:53.801 --> 35:58.681 in, uh, whether it's the sector, the regions or like, uh, globally, 35:58.681 --> 36:00.401 what's, what's trending. 36:01.141 --> 36:02.841 And, uh, from there, 36:03.521 --> 36:05.141 I had like, I have that, 36:05.921 --> 36:10.861 working on the issue that is really, it's not really, it's not like I have 36:10.861 --> 36:14.701 to explain a lot about understanding that this is happening. 36:15.121 --> 36:17.061 I think that's one of the things that 36:17.681 --> 36:22.201 made, uh, some of the finding, um, at least easier to convince 36:22.201 --> 36:27.103 someone because it's like something easy to say that, uh-Uh, people 36:27.103 --> 36:32.083 are bleeding every month. Uh, 18% of them in Rwanda can't afford pads, so 36:32.104 --> 36:37.084 like that one, it was at least easy to, to say, although it's not that easy 36:37.103 --> 36:41.863 to even, uh, convince someone that actually those people could, uh, should 36:41.963 --> 36:46.804 get, uh, like a certain amount to, to do, but like it's 36:46.964 --> 36:48.824 at least the problem they understand. 36:49.703 --> 36:51.463 Another thing that I think in my 36:52.683 --> 36:55.564 fundraising journey, uh, for me, I had luck. 36:56.143 --> 37:01.003 I think like, like we, we can work, like both of us can work hard but sometimes one 37:01.043 --> 37:01.744 get lucky. 37:02.363 --> 37:07.183 I think I got also lucky. Yes, I worked but also I got like that part that I 37:07.223 --> 37:10.703 want. I don't say that I'm genius here and here. 37:11.003 --> 37:15.644 Yes, someone else was working also on something that is really needed or so 37:15.644 --> 37:18.724 urgent, but maybe they didn't get what I got. 37:19.124 --> 37:23.204 Uh, I think like for me, my takeaway was about not 37:23.624 --> 37:24.183 giving... 37:33.903 --> 37:34.623 in English. 37:35.243 --> 37:40.143 My, my, like my experience when I started fundraising, I would spend a lot 37:40.143 --> 37:43.643 of time just like fundraising anywhere, anyhow, anything, 37:44.303 --> 37:49.143 and I was getting a lot of rejections because I wasn't meeting all criterias or even 37:49.223 --> 37:51.903 go where they are giving funding in water. 37:51.903 --> 37:56.443 I would send my proposal where they are giving funding in maybe constructions. 37:56.863 --> 38:01.783 So like from my experience starting, I started now focusing, um, 38:02.163 --> 38:04.643 using my effort on, like 38:05.343 --> 38:10.183 first knowing criterias and if my, i- if I send a proposal 38:10.243 --> 38:15.223 to someone who is looking in the sets I'm working on, it's easier for them to 38:15.243 --> 38:20.123 read my proposal. It was different from when I was just sending it to anywhere and I was getting 38:20.143 --> 38:25.003 exhausted for nothing. So that focus and 38:25.043 --> 38:26.803 working on something, uh, 38:27.483 --> 38:32.383 that is really, like needed or, like a cause that is easy to understand, 38:32.943 --> 38:36.783 but also for me to be able to keep that resilience. 38:37.303 --> 38:38.003 Uh, like, 38:38.683 --> 38:43.283 I think, like for anyone, if, if you fall in love with the problem you're solving, 38:43.863 --> 38:48.183 it's easier for you to keep pushing even if they reject your proposal 38:48.663 --> 38:53.623 because when you fall in love with the solution, when doesn't win, uh, you can even 38:53.703 --> 38:58.563 be depressed. So it's, it's easy, like if it's about the problem, if the solution 38:58.563 --> 39:01.103 is not working, it's easier for you to be working. 39:01.183 --> 39:06.123 Just, uh, go further in and, uh, keep the energy as you, you fundraise. 39:06.423 --> 39:09.683 So, uh, for me, those are the learning so far. 39:10.183 --> 39:15.163 And yeah, just from the beginning, just know if you're working 39:15.183 --> 39:19.943 on an urgent cause or something that is needed, uh, as much as you put your 39:19.963 --> 39:21.123 effort and 39:22.063 --> 39:26.503 look for the right, uh, like, uh, funders, 39:27.163 --> 39:28.103 it pays off. 39:28.763 --> 39:33.623 Definitely. Definitely. Um, taking away that you should fall in love with the 39:33.643 --> 39:38.503 problem that you're trying to solve, 'cause the solution may vary, but so long as you're 39:38.503 --> 39:43.403 passionate about solving that particular problem, no matter the difficulty that you face, you'd always, 39:43.403 --> 39:48.123 like, be, um, willing to not take no for an answer, and also be 39:48.263 --> 39:52.703 very, um, specific about the type of funding. Like you should not be everywhere. 39:52.943 --> 39:57.683 Sure you should, you know, not put all your eggs in one basket, but in this particular case, you should 39:57.703 --> 40:01.643 identify the right funding type and go for it. 40:02.163 --> 40:04.903 So thank you again for sharing that with us. 40:05.363 --> 40:09.703 Um, next, we also, from your website, we saw that Kosmo Pa- um, 40:10.183 --> 40:14.683 Kosmopads isn't just like, you know, it's also going into 40:14.803 --> 40:19.783 technology. You have Cos... Sorry, Kosmotive isn't just about 40:19.903 --> 40:24.683 pads. So you also have KosmoHealth app and other digital tools. Right? 40:25.103 --> 40:29.383 So, um, how are you using technology to enhance 40:29.443 --> 40:34.403 women's, uh, women education, and, like, which other services do you 40:34.583 --> 40:39.303 have, and how has technology probably helped you in reaching out to more 40:39.343 --> 40:43.943 women, and how do you plan to use tech to integrate technology 40:44.043 --> 40:46.503 into your product in future? 40:48.263 --> 40:50.403 Uh, yeah, thank you. Uh, I think 40:50.403 --> 40:51.063 [beep] 40:51.063 --> 40:51.303 Oh, 40:51.303 --> 40:51.523 [beep] 40:51.883 --> 40:52.223 I said 40:52.303 --> 40:52.443 beep ] 40:53.103 --> 40:54.843 it even before KosmoHealth. 40:55.823 --> 40:56.283 Uh, 40:57.003 --> 41:00.463 so for, for us, tech is like 41:01.163 --> 41:06.123 using information and technology, it's, uh, really like the bigger tool, 41:06.683 --> 41:11.143 uh, because bringing a product, if there is no awareness 41:11.643 --> 41:16.583 whether it's about women's, uh, health information, whether it's about where they 41:16.623 --> 41:21.343 can find a certain service if they have any issue, uh, I feel 41:21.383 --> 41:24.643 like it re- you know, the product can even be wasted. 41:24.663 --> 41:29.643 Or someone can, no one can have a product if they don't know how to use or what's happening 41:29.643 --> 41:32.943 with their body, they can even keep that product without using it. 41:33.363 --> 41:33.683 So 41:34.723 --> 41:39.603 for us, we, like we keep both. Yes, we have a product, 41:39.703 --> 41:40.143 but 41:40.763 --> 41:44.603 are people informed? Do they know about their, their, their health? 41:45.043 --> 41:46.463 Uh, are they able to 41:47.083 --> 41:51.943 even have a conversation? Do they know where they can get, have, uh, like find a service 41:52.003 --> 41:56.543 if they are facing A, B, C, D? And, you know, most of the, the, the things 41:56.563 --> 41:59.083 happening with, like in women's health, 42:00.403 --> 42:05.283 some of them are stigmatized, some of them, they, like they're not willing to talk about it. 42:05.303 --> 42:09.783 You know, like recently it's been kind of trending about, uh, talking about 42:09.883 --> 42:10.743 menopause. 42:11.363 --> 42:14.823 Most of the people didn't know what's happening at that stage. 42:14.843 --> 42:19.563 And by the time people start talking about it, that's when you're like, "Oh, I didn't know it's even 42:19.743 --> 42:23.363 that, um, like that hard." Like, you know. 42:23.703 --> 42:28.243 Uh, so, uh, th- there has been a lot of things happening in women's health that, 42:28.443 --> 42:28.703 um, 42:29.363 --> 42:33.883 uh, people are not talking about. Sometimes depending on the culture or 42:34.163 --> 42:37.963 even the knowledge or even the, the research, because most of the research 42:37.963 --> 42:39.003 [beep] 42:39.163 --> 42:42.685 we made, uh, conducted about women's health. So, uh-Right. 42:42.685 --> 42:46.666 Currently, with our KosmoHealth, apart from just giving 42:46.686 --> 42:51.525 information on, uh, information whether it's about women's health 42:51.605 --> 42:56.405 or, uh, where they can find healthcare services, we are now, uh, 42:56.525 --> 43:01.305 integrated like using AI to if someone still needs their 43:01.405 --> 43:06.345 privacy to be able to seek a certain, uh, information because, you 43:06.365 --> 43:11.166 know, whether we talk about it, whether we advocate about being able 43:11.265 --> 43:16.025 to, to have free conversations about our, our health, there's still the culture, 43:16.045 --> 43:20.586 there's still someone who we feel like, "I need privacy to be able to talk about this 43:20.625 --> 43:23.686 topic." So we are using AI now to serve 43:24.485 --> 43:29.306 anyone who needs privacy in any way to access a certain information about 43:29.446 --> 43:34.005 their, their, their health as a woman and also, uh, 43:34.305 --> 43:39.106 where can they find the right service if their, if their, 43:39.426 --> 43:44.265 they need to have an extra, um, service that we can provide 43:44.266 --> 43:48.465 on our platform. So it's mainly that, uh, that we are using. 43:48.965 --> 43:53.785 And we believe that like, um, strengthening our platform we can be able 43:53.825 --> 43:58.506 to now to make it better in a way that can even serve different clinics, 43:58.526 --> 44:03.405 different other, uh, heath providers if they, they 44:03.426 --> 44:08.106 have, uh, like patients or other, uh, seekers who, 44:08.346 --> 44:12.545 who need a certain level of privacy when they are 44:12.985 --> 44:17.325 having either consultations or seeking information, they can have that. 44:17.665 --> 44:22.525 If it's about tracking their periods or anything that, um, 44:23.365 --> 44:28.146 like the AI can help without having to move, uh, waste 44:28.185 --> 44:32.465 their time or money, yeah, all that we need just like to 44:32.885 --> 44:37.626 leverage everything that is possible for, for everyone to understand about their 44:37.665 --> 44:42.225 health, their body, where to get what and, um, 44:42.585 --> 44:46.065 be able to talk about our, our bodies, our he- 44:51.645 --> 44:56.265 Okay, that's interesting. Indeed tech would just make the work so 44:56.345 --> 45:01.225 much easier and you can reach a larger audience by using the 45:01.345 --> 45:05.705 tools that you mentioned. Um, for our final que... 45:05.705 --> 45:06.345 Can you get me? 45:07.305 --> 45:07.785 Am I audible? 45:07.785 --> 45:08.325 Yes. 45:08.605 --> 45:13.205 Okay. So for our final question, you mentioned that you have 45:13.325 --> 45:17.925 plans to expand to other countries and even partner with 45:18.005 --> 45:22.265 larger consumer good companies. So, um, what is your 45:22.405 --> 45:25.685 strategy for scaling Kosmopads across Africa out? 45:25.825 --> 45:30.465 Personally, really want to have it in Cameroon and even where I am, just like all 45:30.565 --> 45:35.305 around the world. So are you considering franchising like local 45:35.365 --> 45:40.105 manufacturing in other countries or even licensing your products 45:40.105 --> 45:43.285 to NGOs and or even other governments? 45:43.345 --> 45:48.245 In fact, how would you ensure that your model remains sustainable and 45:48.325 --> 45:50.885 impactful while reaching new markets? 45:51.385 --> 45:56.125 So what's your plan for growth and what are the partnerships that you want to 45:56.165 --> 45:58.245 consider or are considering? 45:59.705 --> 46:04.565 So yeah, thank you. We also wish to be in Cameroon soon. 46:05.065 --> 46:09.905 Uh, so for our targets, uh, we've been here, uh, we ha- we still have 46:09.945 --> 46:14.205 like some countries in East Africa, Kenya, DRC. 46:14.305 --> 46:15.385 We also have the 46:16.125 --> 46:20.425 Central African, yeah, the, uh, Central African Republic. Hmm. 46:21.605 --> 46:24.545 Now I'm mixing these country. Um, 46:25.825 --> 46:29.045 Central African Republic. Is it this that? 46:29.825 --> 46:30.645 Uh, it, yeah. 46:30.865 --> 46:31.405 I think that's what it is. 46:31.405 --> 46:32.805 Yeah, it's the Central African Republic. 46:33.705 --> 46:34.005 Yeah. 46:34.065 --> 46:36.785 Yeah, uh, I was just trying to say it in French. 46:37.065 --> 46:41.965 So yeah, we also have that and for the southern part, we, uh, 46:41.985 --> 46:46.845 we have Zimbabwe. Those are our li- now our near future targets 46:47.085 --> 46:49.065 that we are working on currently. 46:49.745 --> 46:54.605 And, uh, from there, by identifying those countries, it's, 46:54.665 --> 46:58.765 it's just because that's where it was easier for us to have the first, uh, 46:58.805 --> 46:59.785 distributors. 47:01.065 --> 47:05.845 Uh, now from there we know how we can, uh, with we'll be able now 47:05.905 --> 47:10.025 to, uh, to go to other, uh, Central African countries. 47:10.565 --> 47:15.425 And like from Z, uh, Zimbabwe, we'll be able to, like, to, to see how we 47:15.445 --> 47:19.905 can now get other countries in the southern part of Africa. 47:20.645 --> 47:23.745 And for the East Africa, at least we can say we are here. 47:23.765 --> 47:28.325 We, we tried as much as we can. Uh, so far the model that we use, 47:28.605 --> 47:32.905 um, yes, the franchising, we really, we love that. 47:33.245 --> 47:38.025 In any country where we go, um, the first thing we, we put first is 47:38.105 --> 47:40.325 that we work with the local. We 47:40.925 --> 47:44.685 don't plan to set up anything in any other country. 47:44.685 --> 47:49.105 We, like, we prefer working with the local, someone who understands the 47:49.165 --> 47:54.105 culture, someone who is there, um, working with the people, and they know it's 47:54.165 --> 47:59.145 easier that way. And for us, um, yeah, we license what they, they 47:59.145 --> 48:03.605 prefer. So far, we haven't, um, licensed anything about the production. 48:04.005 --> 48:07.245 We have been working with them normally in distribution. 48:07.885 --> 48:11.965 But yeah, in any country, we really welcome any 48:12.805 --> 48:17.585 collaboration, uh, that might, uh, happen in any way 48:17.625 --> 48:22.525 to improve women's health. And yeah, but the first thing we do is 48:22.565 --> 48:27.445 just we work with locals. We don't take anyone from Rwanda to go set up, uh, 48:27.525 --> 48:32.425 anywhere. We make sure that we work with the, like, systems, the way they work and someone 48:32.485 --> 48:37.425 from, uh, the same community. The same way we work in Rwanda if we are working 48:37.665 --> 48:40.705 in a certain district, it's someone in that district. 48:41.005 --> 48:45.907 Working with someone really, like, there.... to, to serve their people. 48:45.928 --> 48:50.747 It's also, uh, I, as like, uh, Bertrise was just like as I was sharing 48:50.747 --> 48:55.568 about like people love to be led. It's easier when someone relates to the 48:55.648 --> 49:00.627 person who is serving the same way they love to relate when someone is like, "Actually this product 49:00.668 --> 49:05.068 is working." So yeah, that, that's ev- every time I would order with a 49:05.307 --> 49:10.187 distribution anything, uh, we make sure that it's just like the same 49:10.247 --> 49:14.787 person from the same area. Uh, and see how we can grow 49:14.827 --> 49:15.447 together. 49:16.928 --> 49:21.827 Okay. Definitely. Like you mentioned, it's, um, the model that you're using 49:21.827 --> 49:26.647 in Rwanda, that's the same one that you plan on using to expand to other countries, 49:26.707 --> 49:31.008 just always empowering the locals and moving on from there. 49:31.428 --> 49:34.147 Now I know I said that was the last question, but you're a lady. 49:34.147 --> 49:34.167 [laughs] 49:34.167 --> 49:37.947 I cannot let you go without asking you this question. 49:38.327 --> 49:42.847 So as an African woman entrepreneur, what 49:43.007 --> 49:47.887 advice do you have for other young women and girls that 49:47.907 --> 49:51.207 are starting out in your entrepreneurship journey? 49:51.508 --> 49:55.807 Or just what message do you have for the ladies? It may not just business related. 49:55.807 --> 49:58.128 Just tell us something, inspire us. 49:59.928 --> 50:02.788 Ah, I think the first thing is, um, 50:04.247 --> 50:06.827 ah, it could be related to what I said about, 50:07.747 --> 50:11.047 ah, it, it's good to, to like to 50:11.947 --> 50:16.867 if you to do anything, uh, do something that has a social impact 50:17.588 --> 50:22.448 because I, I'll give an example. The COVID time, if someone 50:22.448 --> 50:25.847 has started something just because of, of profit, 50:26.448 --> 50:30.608 uh, there was a period when people were not even making profit by... 50:30.907 --> 50:35.247 If you're serving something that has another impact, you know, it was relieving. 50:35.247 --> 50:37.727 It was more of, you know, I'm having this impact. 50:37.887 --> 50:41.547 So different from if I can afford money and I'm not getting money. 50:42.307 --> 50:44.867 You know, you can, you can just really feel bad. 50:45.087 --> 50:49.967 But if you, you, you, you can just doing something that has an impact and you're providing 50:49.967 --> 50:54.587 sometimes when you're not getting the money, well, at least you can lean on the 50:54.647 --> 50:58.467 impact you created. So and, and for women, it's... 50:58.907 --> 51:02.707 We are really good at really like understanding if there is any 51:03.467 --> 51:04.987 problem you care about, 51:06.107 --> 51:10.287 you're the right person to, to solve it. So don't wait for someone else. 51:10.747 --> 51:15.387 You're like, you're the one. I think it's in the saying, "You're the one you've been waiting for." So 51:15.547 --> 51:19.087 just like go for it. Make sure you have the right network. 51:19.527 --> 51:23.787 Uh, and if you're seeking, uh, advice, seek from the people who 51:23.807 --> 51:28.787 understand. We get to, you know, like African Americans get to, to be frustrated, 51:28.827 --> 51:33.707 you know, um, my, my family, my friends, they've been telling me to 51:33.867 --> 51:38.787 stop this and this. But they were giving you the advice from the place of love. 51:38.827 --> 51:43.287 If they feared starting something, why are you seeking advice from them? 51:43.307 --> 51:48.027 Because that's what they fear. They are giving you what they feel like is safe and for them 51:48.067 --> 51:52.607 maybe what's safe is getting a job. So make sure you have the right network. 51:52.827 --> 51:55.167 Seek advice from the people who understand. 51:55.207 --> 51:57.567 Th- they will be the one to, um, 51:58.367 --> 52:02.907 to, to inspire you or to give you like tips on how to, to, 52:03.247 --> 52:04.287 to, to succeed. 52:05.147 --> 52:09.907 And, um, what else? I think with that, uh, it's, it's, it's 52:09.967 --> 52:14.907 easy to hear. Uh, when you're working for something you care about, you have the right 52:14.967 --> 52:19.647 network. Uh, another thing as you, you mentioned like 52:19.667 --> 52:21.027 specifically for women, 52:22.287 --> 52:26.927 I think another story that we heard, um, uh, is about like, 52:27.307 --> 52:29.867 I think it's from Michelle, um, 52:30.647 --> 52:35.007 that women most of the time, you know, we get all these motivational 52:35.027 --> 52:39.367 speeches. Uh, women, you can have it all, you know? 52:39.367 --> 52:44.307 And you get, you get inspired, you get excited about, "Yeah, I can 52:44.307 --> 52:49.247 have it all." Uh, but one thing that won't, uh, ma- make you 52:49.627 --> 52:54.127 feel like burnt out sometimes, you know, sometimes it happens at the same time. 52:54.527 --> 52:59.187 Um, I think she was saying like sometimes they forget to tell us, 52:59.187 --> 53:03.967 "You can have it all, but they forget to tell us that they might 53:04.087 --> 53:08.887 not happen at the same time." Because, you know, there is th- 53:09.387 --> 53:14.327 like there's a truth about our body. So yes, you can, you 53:14.347 --> 53:19.247 can give birth and take off anything, travel, do everything. 53:19.527 --> 53:24.507 But sometimes you want... Not sometimes, you want travel when you, uh, you're giving 53:24.567 --> 53:29.507 birth at the same time. So some... Next, yes, we can have it all but, uh, let's 53:29.527 --> 53:33.367 be strategic about how we, we take those things. 53:33.447 --> 53:38.407 We will be able to have everything, but let's not just like jump into, "Yes, 53:38.407 --> 53:42.907 I can have it all," and now blame someone who said it as if 53:43.327 --> 53:48.207 we couldn't have a strategy about, "How may I get all of them?" So I 53:48.227 --> 53:50.847 think it's really that, uh, yeah. 53:53.227 --> 53:57.567 Thank you so much for giving us those words, and, uh, 53:58.087 --> 54:01.507 thank you for sharing the story of Kosmotive with us. 54:01.507 --> 54:05.847 Thank you of sharing your journey from when you began till right now. 54:06.227 --> 54:09.507 We are incredible... Like, we are grateful for it. 54:09.927 --> 54:14.847 And, uh, like we mentioned, uh, from your conversation with Peng, I'm sure he said 54:14.887 --> 54:19.227 that this full interview will be available on our blog. 54:19.547 --> 54:24.107 And, um, would like to request for, um, pictures of yourself, your 54:24.187 --> 54:29.067 team, and just any, um, I don't know, testimonials that you 54:29.167 --> 54:34.067 want to be displayed on our blog, that would be welcome so we can add it to 54:34.087 --> 54:38.447 the article and just showcase you in your, in all angles. 54:38.987 --> 54:42.507 So please share that with us and it would be helpful. 54:43.267 --> 54:48.227 I guess that is it. That is it. It was really great to get to know 54:48.327 --> 54:53.147 you, not just Kosmotive, but like you as a person, to get to know what drives you, 54:53.207 --> 54:58.147 what drives Kosmotive. And we just look forward to having more women 54:58.207 --> 55:03.127 like you who, you know, not just dare to dream, but to pursue it and not take 55:03.167 --> 55:04.207 no for an answer. 55:05.787 --> 55:06.047 Yeah. 55:06.087 --> 55:06.807 Thank you. 55:07.367 --> 55:08.447 Thank, thank you so much. 55:09.267 --> 55:09.287 For that. 55:09.287 --> 55:13.247 Yeah. Thank you so much, and thank you for going over time. I, I just have one request. 55:13.287 --> 55:17.367 Can you share us like your T-shirt size? I would like to share like some T-shirts to you. 55:18.287 --> 55:20.227 Oh, that's so kind. 55:20.847 --> 55:23.887 Uh, I think it's small. So far, it's small. 55:23.887 --> 55:24.227 [laughs] 55:24.727 --> 55:26.887 Okay. Okay. Then I'll send it through Raissa. 55:27.707 --> 55:28.327 Thank you. 55:28.907 --> 55:29.667 All right. Thank you. 55:30.707 --> 55:31.267 All right. Have a nice day. 55:31.267 --> 55:33.687 Okay. Thank you very much. B- bye, Bertrise. 55:33.687 --> 55:33.687 Thank you too. 55:33.687 --> 55:35.767 Bye-bye. Bye. 55:35.767 --> 55:37.027 Bye. Have a nice evening.