Bristol businesses are being urged to take part in a pioneering project to create 10,000 more entrepreneurs in Africa so they can work their way out of poverty with dignity. And in the process they could become the owner of a valuable piece of art for their workplace.
The #tradeitlikeBruno project is the brainchild of Vashti Seth, founder of Bristol’s innovative microfinance charity Deki. She took her inspiration from Bruno, an entrepreneur from Malawi who started with next to nothing and now has a number of thriving businesses, earning him the nickname of Malawi’s Richard Branson. 
Vashti decided to start with a single Deki badge, which she traded for ever more valuable items – until she had a gold bar from Switzerland, which was swapped for the use of a private villa in Kenya for two weeks.
That has now been converted into a stunning 1.5m x 2m artwork worth £8,000 by renowned Bristol urban artist Mr Jago.
Vashti said: “The painting would look amazing on the wall of an office. I’m sure there must be one in Bristol which has a blank space that is crying out for a piece of art like this.
“All they need to do is offer us something in return. It could be £10,000 worth of business services. We’re open to all suggestions.”
Vashti is seeking to fully fund her 10,000 entrepreneurs by the end of November.
For more information and to watch a video about Bruno’s amazing journey, go to http://donate.deki.org.uk/trade-it-like-bruno/
