hellen munyasa

From plastic waste to high-value thread, this is the kind of innovation that transforms communities and protects our environment. We are proud to celebrate USEA alumna @hellenmunyasa , Founder and Managing Director of @HeltonLlp95999, whose work is demonstrating the power of sustainable entrepreneurship. By converting discarded plastic into thread, Hellen is advancing the circular economy while creating employment opportunities for women and youth. Following her participation in the 2025 @WashFellowship, Hellen has continued to strengthen her leadership and expand the impact of her social enterprise. Her vision is ambitious: recycling over 15,000 tonnes of plastic annually and creating more than 10,000 green jobs by 2030. At USEA, we are proud to celebrate alumni who are applying their knowledge, leadership, and innovation to solve pressing challenges and create lasting impact across Uganda and beyond. #Freedom250 #MyAmericanEdge

Video Recap: Episode 4 of #USEAFacesOfImpact 🎬

@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.

@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.

⏳​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.

🌍 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. 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

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.