Christmas is upon us and with it comes the mad rush to purchase gifts for our loved ones. If you're tired of the usual items being offered at the malls, why not patronize a local brand and help build communities?
A social enterprise is an organization that is directly involved in the production and selling of goods to generate income to finance their social, cultural, or environmental mission/goal. By buying from these micro-entrepreneurs, you're helping families from underserved communities have a sustainable livelihood.
If you're ready to shop and give back, here's a list of 7 social enterprises being supported by Globe Telecom that warrant your support. Each one boasts unique items carefully crafted using indigenous materials by communities from around the country.
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Bote Central
Bote Central focuses on providing sustainable livelihoods to local communities using forest and agri-forest products. Its Kape’t Buhay Program provides income opportunities to local coffee farmers by equipping them with technology, training, and marketing support, among other things, in order to start their own agri-coffee business.
What to buy: Coffee Alamid
Contact: Alyanna Reyes (0917-8150891), or visit http://www.botecentral.net/
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Bayani Brew
A social enterprise nurtured by Gawad Kalinga (GK), Bayani Brew uses organic ingredients from the GK Enchanted Farm in Bulacan to produce its Classic (lemongrass and pandan) and Purple Leaf (sweet potato tops) iced tea variations. Apart from sourcing locally and buying at higher than market prices from farming communities, the group also provides support to organic farming communities by providing planting materials, shouldering maintenance of crops, awarding Bayani scholarships, among other things.
What to buy: Bayani Brew Gift Pack
Contact: Xilca Alvarez (0917-8194522), email bayanibrew@gmail.com, or visit http://bayanibrew.com/
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Custom Made Crafts Center (CMCC)
CMCC creates unique and distinctly Filipino products through the combination of organic and non-timber forest resources and indigenous designs. Carefully crafted by indigenous tribes such as the Mangyan, the Higaonon, the Palaw’anon, the Tagbanua, and the T’boli, the finished products include clothing, journals, and home items. More than just providing a means of livelihood to these communities, CMCC hopes to shine a spotlight on indigenous traditions and craftsmanship.
What to buy: Handwoven clothing and accessories, functional boxes, organic rice, jams, and jellies
Contact: Jessica Abing (0905-3777095), email info@cmcrafts.org / sales@cmcrafts.org, or visit http://www.cmcrafts.org/
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Gifts & Graces
This social enterprise provides livelihood opportunities to various communities, which include former street children, the urban poor, former prison inmates, and indigenous groups. On top of practicing fair trade, the organization provides product development, technical training on enterprise management, and market access to enable communities to run a sustainable business.
What to buy: bags, home organizers, decorative items
Contact: Ken Guiaco (0917-5545487), email info@giftsandgraces.com / giftsandgraces@yahoo.com, or visit http://www.giftsandgraces.com/
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Jacinto & Lirio
Considered an aquatic weed, the water hyacinth has now become functional and trendy, thanks to this social enterprise. Turning them into chic bags, notebooks, and accessories has not only put this plant to good use, but has turned it into a source of income for communities in Pampanga, Laguna, Rizal, and Pasig.
What to buy: organizer, notebooks, bags
Contact: Anne Mariposa (0917-882-2320), email sales@jacintoandlirio.com, or visit http://www.jacintoandlirio.com/
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Rurungan sa Tubod Foundation, Inc. (RSTF)
Based in pineapple-rich Palawan, RSTF enables women in rural areas here to create livelihood through piña weaving. The result is beautifully woven high-end garments and bags. Going beyond providing a source of income, RSTF advocates women empowerment, weaving excellence, and sustainability.
What to buy: bags, scarves, blouse
Contact: Rambie Lim (0917-5532728) or visit http://rurungan.org/
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Hineleban Coffee
Hineleban Coffee is a non-profit organization that seeks to reforest the mountain ranges of Mindanao. Hineleban Foundation plants one forest tree for every bag purchased. This set-up not only helps the environment, but also supports the indigenous communities that act as stewards of the forest by providing them a steady livelihood.
What to buy: coffee beans
Contact: Jai Ferrer (0917-519-3766) or visit http://hineleban.org/sip-reforest/
Help create a wonderful Christmas for many workers and their families.
Altogether across its business lines, Globe underscores the fact that environmental and social consciousness is integral to sustaining the commerce which it engages in. Through its Corporate Social Responsibility advocacies, Globe is able to help various stakeholders design their own sustainable future. In line with this, Globe embarked on Project 1 Phone, the biggest mobile recycling program in the Philippines designed to create awareness on proper e-waste disposal and to promote sustainability.
Globe enjoins everyone to participate in the Project 1 Phone campaign by donating old, non-working, or damaged phones and tablets, mobile phone batteries, and even personal computers to the campaign. Recycle bins are available in participating Globe Stores nationwide (for the complete list, please visit www.globe.com.ph/project1phone).
