Eden Project Founder Launches Schools’ Entrepreneurs’ Project To Help AIDS Orphans in Africa

Oct. 16, 2009 - PRLog -- Tim Smit, co-founder of The Eden Project in Cornwall, has launched a new initiative that gives UK school pupils the chance to create a ‘business’ in support of AIDS orphans in sub-Saharan Africa.

The Social Entrepreneurs Project, which will support the work of charity HOPE HIV, enables young people in schools to set up mini business enterprises, the profits from which are used to provide an education to vulnerable children in sub-Saharan Africa. The pupils are given £10 to get started and the profits of their activities are returned to the charity.

Smit told the launch:

“I think social enterprise is probably the most important development in capitalism in the last 300 years. This is not about do-gooding, it’s about creating more from less. These young people will find it exhilarating to see what happens when you are liberated and given the tools to change not only the lives and outlook of the people you are helping, but your own life and outlook as well. It will show them how they can use their talents to provide added value in this world.”

The charity’s founder, Phil Wall, and UK Project Manager Catherine Hedges joined teachers and students from participating schools at the launch at Wellington College in Crowthorne, Berkshire.
The project itself develops pupils’ creativity, initiative and social awareness; teaches business skills and entrepreneurship through practical application, and enables children in the UK to directly affect the lives of some of the world’s most disadvantaged young people. The programme a ‘plug and play’ cross-curricular activity, designed for teachers by teachers.  It is offered to schools at no cost, and it comes with a full resource pack and dedicated support staff to help get it started.  Currently, some 30 schools across the UK are running the project.

Ofsted said that the programme enables pupils to “make an outstanding contribution, both to the community and their future economic well-being”.  

“The Social Entrepreneurs Project is a powerful way of engaging young people in the UK in social enterprise. It helps students gain vital skills and experience in putting together and running a mini-business, and gives them a taste of how they can really make a difference,” explains Phil Wall.
“The SEP enables pupils to understand the issues faced by orphans and vulnerable children in sub-Saharan Africa, and, most importantly, gives them the opportunity to do something to help. The money raised by the Project in the UK empowers young people in Africa to build a future for themselves through education, vocational training, micro-finance and community support."

Further information is available at www.hopehiv.org.

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