Founding Case Studies
EW CASE STUDY IN ZIMBABWE, South Eastern Africa
Primary Objectives:
- Provide an immediate safety net for vulnerable children
- Prevent HIV/AIDS via counseling, testing, & treatment
- Increase global market access for fairly traded products
Review of "7 Stages to Sustainability" for Primary Objective #1 Provide an immediate safety net for vulnerabl
e children:
1. (engagement) The catalyst of this project - and Partner in Empowerment #1 (a Social Entrepreneur) was local mother of four, artist, child advocate, Julia Kunzekwenyika.
Dedicated to helping vulnerable children and women, Julia was selling her artwork to cover school fees of orphans in need. T&J Designs, a textile painting cooperative, Partner in Empowerment #2 (a Sustainable Business), became a fundamental income generating focus with its demonstrated commitment to providing jobs to widows.
2. (identify local assets) To lay the foundation for longer-term economic self-reliance, Julia, T&J, and the EW project facilitator identified local assets/ economic opportunities including hand painted textiles, stone sculptures, and art work. As transportation costs limited exports in the rural areas, local assets of tree seedlings, uniform making, soap making, and cow trading were identified.
3. (plan collaborative action) Together they co-created a plan to establish a community based orphan care program (more efficient than institutional orphanages and without the stigma). EW & local partners developed an educational curriculum honoring tradition as well as current life-skills.
4. (build capacity) EW assists in program design, and supported Julia’s home with training in accounting, and other capacity building skills to better manage local services and engaged
outside experts in child development to support the special needs of orphans in program.
5. (invest in appropriate tech) EW invests in sustainable agriculture and art supplies, also financially in Community
Trusts for Vulnerable Children (micro-grants), and conducts workshops w/ village partners - promoting food security.
6. (expand > sustainable trade) Local marketing and regional craft exporters are introduced to T&J and begin test marketing of sa
mples to international markets.
7. (sustain > reinforce impact) T&J continues to seek market
opportunities in the US promoting economic sustainability and community based orphan care.
