Dubai’s Dumyé Named in World’s Best Social Enterprises

Thursday, February 5, 2015

A Dubai-based Arab-American designer turned social entrepreneur has won a chance to compete for a share of a $1 million fund and represent the region at a global finals for social entrepreneurs in San Francisco.

Sahar Wahbeh, the founder of Dumyé – Dolls With Purpose, a social enterprise which gifts a doll to an orphan for each doll purchased, was announced as the winner of the Gulf Final of The Venture, a global competition for social enterprise start-ups, on 1 February.

At the event held on the 41st floor of the Media One Hotel in Dubai, The Venture’s expert judging panel chose Dumyé among four other regional finalists on the basis of its social, ethical or environmental purpose.

Each sale of the handcrafted, eco-friendly, and personalised rag Dumyé dolls finances doll-making workshops in orphanages allowing the children an opportunity to self-reflect in a nurturing environment and express themselves through the creative process.

The company partners with a non-governmental organisation in Uttar Pradesh, India, to produce the dolls used in the art workshops.

The business model also aims to empower women in the community to become self-sufficient, with proceeds going into funding girls’ education.

Source: Arabian Business (link opens in a new window)

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