Refugee Camp to Sustainable Innovation: The Inspirational Journey of Aliet

From Kakuma to Australia: seeds of resilience

Aliet’s journey is one of resilience, determination and a deeply personal mission to create a better world. It began in the Kakuma Refugee Camp, where she spent her childhood surrounded by stories of survival and grit. She vividly recalls watching women, including her mother, craft makeshift shelters from scraps of fabric to shield themselves from the unforgiving sun while working tirelessly to support their families. These early experiences shaped her understanding of resilience and planted the seeds for her life’s work.

A mission ignited by memory

When Aliet’s family was resettled in Australia, a world of opportunity opened up. But the memories of the inequalities she had witnessed stayed with her, becoming a driving force. She has since served as a delegate at the Ubuntu United Nations, engaged with global leaders at the Girl Move Academy, and earned recognition as a Blackbird Foundation Protostar.

Her vision for Umbrellus was born from deeply personal and intergenerational experience. Listening to her mother and aunt share the ongoing struggles in South Sudan reignited a determination to address the basic needs that so many women still lack. Umbrellus became her response — semi-permanent structures that provide safety, dignity and sustainability.

Umbrellus is my promise to the women who inspire me and to all those who need solutions to empower themselves.Aliet, Founder of Umbrellus

Designing with purpose: what Umbrellus builds

At the heart of Umbrellus are modular, stackable canopies crafted from mycelium and bamboo — materials chosen for their renewability and durability. The canopies adapt to different industries and climates, incorporating solar-powered LED lighting and ventilation systems inspired by nature’s own design ethos.

Umbrellus is more than canopies, though. Aliet has expanded her vision to include mycelium-based products such as lamps and lampshades — functional, beautiful items that raise awareness about sustainable innovation and turn the venture into a platform for empowerment.

The sustainable design sector is evolving rapidly, intersecting with agriculture, urban development, hospitality and emergency relief. As climate change intensifies, demand for eco-conscious solutions that address extreme weather and resource scarcity keeps growing — and Umbrellus sits at the forefront of that shift toward circular economies and responsible innovation.

Empowered by Press Play

Aliet credits much of her progress to the Press Play program.

Press Play provided me with the clarity, resources and confidence to translate my vision into actionable steps.Aliet, Founder of Umbrellus

For a solo founder, the mentorship and community offered through the program proved invaluable, helping her navigate challenges and seize opportunities as they came.

Milestones so far

Collaborations with commercial studios have showcased her mycelium-grown lamps and fostered community education along the way.

Empowering resilience through innovation

Looking ahead, Aliet plans to launch Umbrellus canopies and products across multiple industries, ensuring they adapt seamlessly to various climates and environments. Community education remains a priority, with plans to expand workshops on sustainable design and mycelium cultivation, alongside collaboration with thought leaders, businesses and innovators to refine and scale.

Her ultimate goal is to bridge resilience and sustainability — empowering individuals while reconnecting humanity with nature. Through Umbrellus, she is not just transforming industries but touching lives, one sustainable solution at a time.