Among the countless remarkable Sudanese youth achievements and astounding feats, a group of visionary students from the University of Khartoum (UofK) have recently shone brightly as they participated in the prestigious Hult Prize Competition. 

Their bright eco-friendly concept has already gotten them to the finals, and they’re on the verge of being crowned as the champions! Lovin had the privilege to connect with the changemakers, to share with you a tale about their story:

Getting to KNOW Shakheto; The Idea, Vision and the Dream

A dynamic team that’s committed to bridging the gap between waste and raw materials, Shakheto’s vision extends beyond mere aspiration; it encompasses a movement to revolutionise Sudan’s recycling landscape while championing sustainable agriculture.

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They are pioneering a transformative approach within the clothing industry by employing vermicomposting and bio-textile processes to quickly break down cellulose molecules and turn them into high-quality organic compost and a unique soil enhancer. By selling their product directly to farmers, they’re reducing chemical and plastic waste and aiding in transforming the clothing industry in Sudan! 

Have you ever thought about the possibility of turning your old clothes into something really remarkable?
In Shakheto, we connect agriculture with fashion by recycling clothes waste to make a high-quality, 1/5 pic.twitter.com/71sqSY8i1t

— Shakheto (@shakheto_sd) June 12, 2023

The team is currently a group of five female students who have been enrolled at the engineering college of UofK and have formed a strong as they’ve navigated together through thick and thin towards their dreams. Countless late nights at the university were dedicated to their project, where brainstorming took place and even adversities from no supporters on their journey.

Going Against All the Odds! 

“Our story began with participating in the Hult Prize, a globally renowned platform for entrepreneurial endeavours. This year’s theme, ‘Redesigning fashion to become more sustainable’, resonated deeply, especially given that a staggering 88% of clothing waste is in landfills. From that moment, Shakheto decided to step up to the challenge and revolutionise clothing disposal and recycling.”

Commencing from the university phase of the competition, the ladies presented their innovative concept to seasoned experts in the field, securing a place amongst the ranks of a select few teams, and were later on titled the reps of the college, as well as invited to the semifinals in Nairobi, Kenya.

Navigating a Spectrum of Emotions: From Joyful Wins to Defiance

An unexpected turn of events cast a shadow over their path. 

Amid their steadfast progress, a sudden shift in circumstances emerged – one of profound impact.

April 14 marked our celebration for our qualification to the semi-final stage. Yet, the dawn of April 15 ushered in different news – news of conflict erupting in Sudan. Our plans to venture to the regional competitions in Nairobi, Kenya, lay shattered. Amid this uncertainty, we sought out alternatives, reaching out to the Hult Prize management in hopes of finding a way forward. In response, a beacon of hope emerged: the possibility of virtual participation at the Milan online summits

Their struggle to communicate and prepare for the summit was quite a challenge for the team. From frequent disruptions in electricity and network connectivity across Sudan, and being separated across five states, both within and beyond the country’s borders, these souls remain determined to never give up the chase: 

“The members of the Shakheto team have gone through extensive sacrifices; From long journeys in pursuit of internet connectivity to represent the team, to another being perched on the rooftop of her home, seeking signal amidst the chaos, all whilst bullets would go off around her home, we diligently executed tasks and tracked updates. A team member even risked her life to search for a lab to make sure we continued exactly where we left off.”

Through their praiseworthy commitment, they won the semi-final level of the Milan qualifiers, and are now amongst the best 24 teams out of 15,000 teams around the world in a global business incubator. 

A Leap Closer to Turning Dreams into Reality

“If we manage to win, we will be the first Sudanese team and the second African team to reach this stage of the competition. We know that our team is full of determination to do anything in order to achieve our vision.”

That was their comment as they brace themselves for the last round.

https://t.co/BJbjJLimDo

Unleash Sudanese dreams!

Just as you witnessed the birth of our dream and the beginning of the journey, the journey of Shakheto, with its five heroines, five students from the Faculty of Engineering at University of Khartoum,

— Shakheto (@shakheto_sd) July 31, 2023

Shakheto has established a call for a fundraiser as they’re in need of support to cover the cost of travelling to the French capital Paris to participate in the finals of the competition, you can donate and support them via GoFundMe link or Bankak:
#: 3669785
Name: Alaa Ibrahim Hassan Alobaid

These beautiful minds and unbreakable spirits are fated to make a great change for the better in the field of sustainable agriculture for our beloved Sudan. We cross our fingers for Shakheto’s formidable team to turn their dream into reality and we urge our Lovin’ community to support them in making it happen! 

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