Victoria Siddall’s love for children has inspired her personal and professional journey. After completing her degree at Leslie University in 2015, Victoria launched her career with a position at the Joseph M. Tierney Learning Center in South Boston, where she supports educational programming for youth. Last year, One Hen trained Siddall to facilitate its social entrepreneurship program, which she has now led twice at the Tierney Center. Victoria recently spent some time reflecting on her experience with the program in this brief interview.
How does the One Hen program work?
“We worked with the kids two days a week after school and taught them business lessons, through this very interactive program. We focused on how to take out a loan, buy raw materials with the money, build products (key chains, bracelets and rings) and then sell them, make a profit and pay back the loan. Most importantly, we taught them how important a social mission is by having them pick a charity [to which they could] donate some of the profits.”
What has been the most interesting part of the One Hen program for you?
“The most exciting thing was to learn how business savvy the kids were and how they were able to use their math skills to earn a profit for their business. I saw some new strengths and skills in the students that I had never seen before.”
What did you find most challenging?Â
“Well, it can be difficult to make subjects like finance, accounting, costs, loans and profits exciting, but when you are actually running a business it makes something challenging a lot more fun! I think the kids really had a great time with it. They were able to decide on what kind of a business they wanted to launch and what their social mission would be.”
We also asked some of Victoria’s students to tell us what lessons they learned from the One Hen program.
“I learned about making a profit and what it means. I would like to work at a bank someday and this taught me how to handle money, I think that will come in handy some day. I liked how [the One Hen program] helped me understand what I might do as a job someday. I would like to get a good job and use the money to buy a dog, a big house, and help my mom and friends.”  ~ Francis Ford
“I learned about taking out a loan, why you do it and how you pay it back from the profits. I [also] learned that money is to share with everyone. When you make money, you can help yourself and other people too. I liked being with my friends, making the key chains and learning that you shouldn’t be selfish with your money. That it’s better to invest it in more friendships and doing
good in the world.” ~ Nyama Williams
