Social innovation is a novel solution to societal problems that is more sustainable than current measures. Why care about social innovation? It’s the direction the globe is progressing economically, culturally, and inventively. Instantaneous connection is radically transforming volunteerism and global development. Toms, Goodwill, and Dawn are wonderful examples of corporate social innovation, but the heart of the movement lies in individuals. Social innovation has ignited a revolution; check out the these organizations that are reshaping the world!
1. Road to Mafraq
In the past three years, 4,000 Syrian schools have been destroyed or make un-usable by the war. Another 2.2 million children inside Syria and another 500,000 Syrian refugees no longer attend school, and that’s not even counting all of the youth from other countries affected by the crisis. Road to Mafraq is a non-profit organization dedicated to bringing education to children in the Middle East whose dreams have been put in jeopardy due to war. Road to Mafraq believes in the children and refuses to idle while Syrian children become a lost generation. They’re rewriting the story while giving opportunities to children whose education has been stolen since the Syrian War began in 2011. Road to Mafraq considers the war to be a human story in which we all play a role. http://www.roadtomafraq.org/
2. Friends of Dago
Approximately 1.6 million people are affected with AIDS in Kenya, which brings extraordinary challenges to Kenya’s progress and daily life. Friends of Dago was founded in 2010 to assist the Dago Dala Hera Children’s Center, a non-profit organization dedicated to sustaining rural villages and communities in Kenya to overcome adversity. Friends of Dago focuses on child welfare, health, housing, education, agriculture, mentorship, economic empowerment, and sustainable development. The Dago primary school currently educates more than 350 students, and more than 30 homes have been rebuilt in the Dago community. Their sports initiative has reached over 3,000 people and offers education on first-aid training and on AIDS to participants. High school students can even earn athletic scholarships. http://www.friendsofdago.org/
3. Stand for Trees
Stand for Trees is a grassroots organization that empowers individuals to make a tangible difference to end deforestation and connect with environmentally minded people. By purchasing a $10 Stand for Trees Certificate, we literally do a tonne of good for the environment. Stand for Trees’ carbon credits follow the Verified Carbon Standard and Climate Community and Biodiversity Alliance, and the organization works with REDD+ (Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and forest Degradation) to put an economic value on forests and ecosystems, which is a great asset in the financial argument against deforestation. https://standfortrees.org.
4. Pencils of Promise
250 million children lack basic reading, writing, and mathematics skills, but Pencils of Promise is working to eliminate that statistic. Since 2009, Pencils of Promise has built schools and impacted 33,883 students. Their work does not stop at textbook education- 5,040 students have been transformed through W.A.S.H. (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene), which not only establishes cleansing stations and teaches youngsters the benefits of personal health, but also tracks their behavior change throughout the year. Pencils of Promise breaks ground on a new school every five days, and uses current technology to teach literacy. https://pencilsofpromise.org
