Social Enterprise Empowers Communities

Jeff Ladd, Chester Rotary Vice-President, spoke to Rotarians, Interact students and guests at Thursday’s September 24, 2015 meeting. Eye witness accounts said that President Dakin breathed a sigh of relief as Jeff, assisted by Malcolm Summers, overcame technical issues just in time for a presentation on how social enterprise empowers communities. A goal of the social enterprise model is to work collaboratively with communities to address challenges that citizens face on a daily basis. In India, many Rickshaw Drivers rent their rides at exorbitant rates, which in turn keep them marginalized and impoverished.  To break the cycle of poverty, the project was designed so that drivers could buy their Rickshaws over time from a production company that was backed by the enterprise. The participants in the project gained valuable benefits such as a sense of community, dignity, family stability and financial empowerment. Jeff also described SolSource Solar Grill and the Wound Sucker projects. In his work in this area, Jeff gave us an insight into the world beyond Chester and what might motivate us to think outside of our present situation.  Thanks to Jeff for bringing this enlightening presentation to Chester Rotary. This quote from David Bornstein, author of what is considered  the social entrepreneurship Bible, ‘How to Change the World’, sums up his message.