Social entrepreneurship as a means of rural development

“Social entrepreneurs are pragmatic leaders who want to be innovative but understand the need to work within their means. They have a social mission that may range from helping slum children working in sweat-shops in developing countries to addressing poverty and environmental degradation. They are innovative and proactive in identifying greater opportunities to create social value.” 

These are some of the thoughts presented by Professor Jay Weerawardena of The University of Queensland Business School, Australia, at the International workshop on Social Entrepreneurship, Social Innovation and Social Value Creation concluded successfully in Colombo a few weeks ago.  

This workshop was organised by the Department of Industrial Management, Faculty of Science, and University of Kelaniya together with Bandaranaike Centre for International Studies (BCIS) and the local affiliate of CEFE (Competency-based Economies through Formation of Enterprise). 

It had a participation of over 90 comprising of social entrepreneurs, representatives from governmental and non-governmental organisations, corporates and academics.

Dr. Upamali Amarakoon, the chairperson of the organising committee mentioned that this workshop aimed to provide insights to the nature of social entrepreneurship in a global setting, assess how social enterprises operate and lessons for the developing world, assess how social enterprises can deliver sustained social value and how social enterprises can be ignited, built and nurtured.

Chamindha Rajakaruna, Executive Director of Sarvodaya Shramadana Movement, also shared decades of Sarvodaya’s experience in creating social value and building a sustainable enterprise. He continued to elaborate on how the Sarvodaya, an organisation initially started as a shramadana movement, has now evolved to create positive change in lives of people in every nook and corner of the country. Vocational training, women empowerment, peace building and reconciliation, ethics education and livelihood development programmes are a few of the social missions of Sarvodaya social enterprise.

A highlight of this workshop was Kumari Dharamarathne, the founder of the Wanaraniya water project, sharing her experience in creating value to her community. Wanaraniya is a rural village in Matale District that suffered from a pro-longed drinking water problem. Many politicians had promised to provide solutions, but those had been limited to election promises. 

Thanks to Kumari’s iron will, determination and leadership Wanaraniya today enjoys safe drinking water. First, she formed ‘Vishaka Women’s Society’ (VWS) which brought Wanaraniya women together for the mammoth task of construct a dam across ‘Bambarakiriella waterfall. 

Similar to many social entrepreneurs, creating social value was not an easy path for Kumari.  Farmers who feared to lose water for their cultivation protested against Kumari’s efforts. Certain villagers sabotaged the project removed pipes on the same day those were laid.  But nothing could stop Kumari. Today 180 families in Wanaraniya directly benefits from the project.  Saved times from searching for drinking water has allowed Wanaraniya women more quality time with their family.

Referring to Kumari’s story and many examples from the around the world, Prof. Jay mentioned that many non-profits today engage in for-profit type enterprises to support their social mission. For example the globally well-known Grameen Bank initiatives in Bangladesh by Professor Muhammad Yunus today has grown to multi-faceted social business.

An immediate outcome of this workshop was Kadurata Development Bank showing their willingness to offer Kumari’s VWS a loan at a lower rate for further expansion of Wanaraniya project. We, the Department of Industrial Management and many other likeminded participants at this workshop are now determined and motivated to support many other Kumaris in the country, said Dr. Upmali. While thanking Bank of Ceylon and Commercial Credit PLC for coming on board as principal sponsors of the event, she invited all to join hands with them on https://www.facebook.com/socialentrepreneurship2016/?ref=aymt_homepage_panel.