SNAPSHOT
Jun
2018
ABOUT US
We are a social business with the purpose to connect the change makers to create economic development in rural Cambodia by focusing on female entrepreneurs. We identify the talented entrepreneurs and support them by providing funding, business training and mentoring enabling them to become financially independent and help build sustainable communities. We are proud to be the first social business in Cambodia that has all the projects founded and run by the people who have been living in their village for generations. We are completely grant free and do not support volunteer tourism.
OUR WHY We believe that social business is the only sustainable way to address world poverty. Although aid can address short-term crises in response to hunger, famine or war, it is not a long-term solution. Handing out money can create dependence and undermine the self confidence of recipients.
"A social business is a company dedicated entirely to achieve a social goal." Prof. Yunus, Nobel Prize Laureate
By encouraging social business, a ripple effect is set in motion helping to create abundant and sustainable communities. Poverty does not just equate to economic statistics and what we hear, in fact behind
every business in the world many individual people and real lives are affected by economic and social structures, preventing them from living fulfilled lives. However, if we support social business and choose to make more responsible decisions, we can have a very positive impact on communities throughout the world.
An abundant life is full, rich not only in material goods but in activities that satisfy the soul & achievements that release ambitions.
HOW WE DO We connect like minded individuals and organisations with the commitment, purpose and passion to become the change and share their expertise with others to create the ripple effect. Our team of business and marketing experts work with the entrepreneurs on the ground and other value chain partners to develop core skills such as sales, marketing, financial literacy and product design. This is however not enough as the entrepreneurs need long term mentors who understand their true needs. Sonas work full time on the ground to ensure entrepreneurs are always connected to a strong support network. We believe that we must work together in order to leverage our strengths and exploit opportunities to create abundance.
We identify the entrepreneurs on the ground by immersing ourselves in their world, supporting them through training and resources to develop their business, to find markets and engage them in trade.
WHAT WE DO Handicrafts
Weaving Village project was established as a social business in September 2013 and is located in Takeo province, Cambodia. It is a central hub for the rural women who previously had no skills and whose families lived on less than $0.50 per day. These women now make $6 per day by weaving beautiful cotton scarves thread by thread. The weaving village also has a collaboration for the knitting project. Weavers & Knitting have grown to 35 women.
Natural Cosmetics
Farming
This project was established in 2014 to grow organic raw materials and create health and wellbeing products such as coconut oil, soaps and herbal teas.
GIY project which involves training farmers in remote rural communities to adopt innovative ways of chicken hatching and growing organic fruit and vegetables. The training is done on a model farm, which is located in the beautiful countryside of Takeo province in Cambodia. This project provides opportunities for people from around the world to exchange knowledge to make impact
Taeko has a group of entrepreneurs that include growers, coconut and honey collectors, soap artisans and herbalism enthusiasts who work together to create organic and natural products that have a purpose to create financial inclusion. Taeko supports 8 entreprenuers
GIY is now growing organic cotton to meet the needs of Weavers
IMPACT Since the launch of our first social business in 2013 which started with 5 women, our family of social entrepreneurs have expanded to 45 in five years. We know it is still small and we are proud of that, as for us, it is the quality not the quantity. Only time will tell the true impact and we are loving the journey everyday. We have reached out to 30k people who own a product made by one of these changemakers. We have over 100 ambassadors from around the world who have been actively sharing the stories of change they have personally witnessed during their visit to our village. We are now working with 10 global and local brands that have been promoting products made by our artisans. Our projects have inspired students from the top universities and schools such as the Oxford, PENN, LSE, NUS and UC and they have been involved in many ways that is mutually value adding.
HOW CAN YOU ? Do you think you have the skills or resources to support a changemaker? Then why not become a part of our social business? We promise once in a life time experience that will have lasting impact by inspiring you to build a happier world for all.
INVEST
VISIT
SHARE SKILLS
You can invest in one of our projects. Unlike donations, your investment has an endless life cycle that keeps on making impact. Alternatively, you can support us by buying products produced by the entrepreneurs We are always looking for like minded people who wish to support and immerse themselves in these communities. You can visit the projects or get involved in our Immersion projects. It is FREE ! We believe in the ripple effect which you can be a part of by sharing your knowledge and expertise with the entrepreneurs. This exchange will have a long lasting impact that can bring you a fulfilling experience.
REACH OUT sonas@sonasworld.org
@sonasworld
Linkerin.com/sona-world
@SonasWorld
@sonas_world
www.sonas.org