Winners of RBS SE100 were jetted off to the Social Enterprise World Forum 2011 in South Africa as part of their prize
Alex Cosgrove, CEO, of Growth Champion Mow & Grow shares her amazing experience fof the forum and study visits...
Monday: I visited the Siyakhula Education Foundation with Ian, Margaret and Kelley while the rest of the group headed out to Wizzit Bank. The Siyakhula Computer School provides affordable, accessible and high quality computer literacy training for disadvantaged individuals. It’s an incredibly inspiring place set in tranquil grounds with lively, intelligent and motivated students and teachers who are ex- students themselves. One of the students walked 1 ½ hours to class each day – I wonder how I can motivate some of our learners who live less than 10 minutes away to get in on time.
The afternoon visit was to Lapdesk and hearing about the related spin off companies all providing a social outcome. Lapdesk is a brilliantly simple concept and addresses the dire shortage of desks for schoolchildren in Africa which currently stands at 90 million, 3 million in South Africa alone. They have committed to ‘the Campaign’ which is to provide 20 million Lapdesks before 2015 to improve literacy development for schoolchildren and is personally led by the Archbishop Tutu. We were all given one for a gift and I’m trying to figure out how it’s going to fit in my luggage.
Tuesday: was day one of the SEWF with great networking and breakout sessions. I heard Kelli Givens (Sport for All) and Dr Garth Japhet (Heartlines SA) speak about social franchising in an interactive session. Jerr Boschee was brilliantly witty, stimulating and full of tips, tricks and pointers that resonated throughout the audience. After that we jumped on a bus and headed off to the gala dinner that was all wine and no dinner but had the most amazing views of Joburg on the 22nd floor. Lots more wine, dancing to a live band and some fabulous conversations once again.
What have I learned so far? That SA has progressed in the past 20 years but that it still has quite a way to go. I have found the people very friendly but am uncomfortable with the still obvious race divide. That time has a different meaning that is understandably driving Lynsey crazy as there is a distinct lack of organisation here. The students I have met are motivated and ask very profound questions e.g. ‘what advice can you give us to be more empowered’ and that although there is hope for a brighter future people are accepting of the distance they still have to travel. The words ‘what can I do’ have been uttered more than a few times.
Wednesday: we were back to the WF and the day started feeling very academic . Attendees were slim on the ground – perhaps the copious amounts of wine the night before were a bad move? The most interesting and inspiring breakout session I attended was with Zain Halle from Khulisa Social Solutions. We discussed enterprise solutions for youth at risk, a topic close to my heart. Will be following this connection up when I’m back. Flew to Cape Town in the evening and checked in to the wackiest hotel I think I’ve been in.
Thursday: and we visited Bobs for Good. I was really looking forward to this visit as we met up with a class of children and helped fit them with school shoes. For each pair of purchased men’s shoes Bobs for Good donates another pair of leather shoes to disadvantaged children. The shoes are made in local townships and the boxes open up into a board game. Seeing the excitement and delight on the children's faces was an incredibly humbling experience for us all.
Updated 15th April 2011
Friday: We were at Shawco and met Varkey George an outstanding international social enterprise leader. Shawco is a dynamic student-run NGO and is the country’s largest student volunteer organisation with over 1200 volunteers running over 15 health and education projects in 5 centres as well as other locations around the Cape Metropolitan area. Our visit included a walk around the local township to meet locals who were very generous with both time and information.
After a wonderful lunch we were off again in the bus to visit Zip Zap Circus. Words are incapable of describing the motivation, passion, energy and the electric atmosphere we felt from the very minute we walked through the opening. The young people performed some fantastic routines on stage, on poles and on swings. What an absolutely amazing end to our study visits.