Unleash the potential within

"Potential exists everywhere--sometimes in very unexpected places--and most important, within ourselves." Jessica B, founder of Kiva, a successful Microfinance Co.

Many believe that we are the one who helped the poor illiterate weavers in Bhutan to earn money they never could have without our involvement. That's true but not the whole truth. Truth is we helped unleash the potentials stored within them. They could always make beautiful things with their hands, they were just not connected to the world that appreciates such beauty and colour of the handmade scarfs

But the biggest surprise for all contributor s and volunteers of Ana by Karma is that through this social enterprise, it is we who discovered our potentials and our vast capacity. It is us who found the treasure within us. I certainly did. 

A POOR ILLITERATE WOMAN TAUGHT US A LESSON

A POOR ILLITERATE WOMAN TAUGHT US A LESSON

What was meant to be a donation of US$200 for one poor illiterate woman morphed into a social enterprise in Bhutan. Ana by Karma Social Enterprise Bhtutan has 70+ weavers proudly earning through sale of their handmade scarfs.

Back then, I made an assumption – the poor benefits from our money, our donation. No. Not true. Karma- the Bhutanese weaver who never went to school, she wants an opportunity, a chance to showcase her talent, the dignity of earning her own keeps. Doesn’t that sound like what you and I want too?

The last thing Karma wanted was my offer of US$200 to buy her a sewing machine.

Looking back, I am glad she vehemently and repeatedly refused my “gift”, my donation. By doing so, Karma taught me a great lesson that day. It was so easy of me to drop a donation in the box and walk away. Not all the poor want our money, definitely not our sympathy. What they truly benefit from are our gift of ideas, time and our vast network.

In Karma’s spirit of dignity, one thing our social enterprise has consistently and vehemently uphold is -- > ZERO $$ donation. ZERO. Ana by Karma is a business. Not a charity.

Any money we receive, we earn it. Just like any commercial business. The only difference is, we are a business with a heart. At the heart of our enterprise is a group of Bhutanese women weavers who are given the opportunity to become financially independent through their own beautiful work. In fact the women weavers are encouraged to think of themselves as entrepreneurs in the fashion industry!

And if you really wish to “donate”, please donate to us your time, your expertise, your ideas as these are the tools of their empowerment.  And that is the lesson I learnt from Karma.

Definitions:

Charity - the act of giving money, food, or other kinds of help to people who are poor, sick, etc, people in need.

A social enterprise is a business created with a social purpose and operated in a financially sustainable way. http://www.nesst.org