 Staycations are all the rage in the post-boom US of A, so here are a few stops on a virtual globetrotting do-gooder junket:
- Daspu, a fashion brand by Brazilian sex workers, held a fashion show for its latest line:
Daspu was launched in 2005 as a way for prostitutes to gain regular income while also fighting preconceptions of people affected with AIDS. Sales revenues are reinvested into initiatives combating sexually transmitted diseases.
"Daspu gets rid of prejudice. It opens paths for the citizen ****," said Leite, an activist in favour of regulating the profession.
- Coco husks to fiber exports: today's Manila Times runs a social enterprise op-ed that includes a look at the Davao Oriental Coconut Husk Social Enterprise, a small business that has already scaled to a significant degree:
The two women wanted to improve the income capacities of farmers and mothers in the fourth-class municipality of San Isidro by cashing in on coco husks. Coco husks could be converted into coco coir, which is an export product, an alternative to synthetic fibers for household and industrial use. They believed that by using the resource abundant in the community, they could help reduce poverty which affected one in every two families there.
. . . By 2007, exportable products increased by 34 percent. The business grew and moved from micro-enterprise level to becoming a small-scale enterprise with assets exceeding P5 million. More farmers were hired, thereby increasing their income. Today, PBSP continues to assist the enterprise through marketing improvement.
- Social enterprise, the final frontier: the JoongAng Daily recently offered this fascinating look at how Korean conglomerates are boosting support for charitable ventures:
SK Group said yesterday that it is looking into establishing a non-profit social enterprise with a 50 billion won ($40.3 million) fund by 2011.
"We plan to establish a new social enterprise model like that of Grameen Bank in Bangladesh that can contribute to fundamental changes in society," said Kwon Oh-yong, head of SK's brand management department.
SK Group said the organization would make use of its efficient management structure and work to involve the public in its efforts.
Once established, the organization will consult with SK Group's 13 core affiliates to solicit project ideas as well as create a system for generating profit. The funds will then be used to benefit the public in various ways, including job creation.
SK also plans to create a Web site where the public can post ideas for social campaigns.
Also yesterday, Hyundai-Kia Automotive Group, the country's leading automaker, said that it plans to create 1,000 jobs for the underprivileged by 2012 as part of its philanthropic activities.
The automaker said it will create 800 jobs by helping Ansim, an organization based in Busan that provides services to the elderly and people with disabilities, expand and diversify its business. The automaker also plans to create 200 to 300 jobs at two other social enterprises.
The automaker plans to invest 2 billion won every year to support these activities.
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