If you are familiar with Muhammad Yunus and his philosophy at all, you must know he argues that all human beings have the entreprenierual gene encoded in their DNA. If such theory is true, then I suggest that social entrepreneurs in Bangladesh- or for all means social entreprenuers in third world countries – must have the boldness gene encoded as well.
Goalmari, a village 2 hours and half away from Dhaka – if traffic is not bad – is one of the most water arsenic contamitaed areas of Bangladesh. Surface water polluted from the trash and bacteria thriving on the green ponds, and tube digging water polluted from arsenic toxins, leaves the rural village with no other water supply- but don’t get tricked – this water is free so as the general rule goes, free things makes anyone happy. The danger here is that these people do not realize the long-term consequence of drinking such water- as arsenic effects is responsible for cancers and skin lesions.
The fact is however, this is a far away issue to tackle- local government has done its part in providing tube water wells- and no business would find a poor rural village – who would be hard to market a product that they obtain freely in nature- attractive enough to invest. Nevertheless, for the those people with “social entreprenuer gene” encompassed with the “boldness gene” – this field becomes the perfect target for these ambitious people who love the risk of taking on a challenging market to create a positive impact for the society and the environment.
Of course you can dismiss the power of social business by calling it CSR or charity – but when you dig a little deeper on the concept- the complexity of managing such a business will surprise you. From establishing a factory only accesible by a boat ride in a remote area, where chemists are supervising water treatment and rural distribution ladies try to reach to all families to receive .50 BDT out of the total price of 2.5 BDT for 10 L of fresh drinking water – Grameen Veolia Water social business is no joke.
Again, some could think of the business as the PR for Veolia Water, a multinational company and others could look at Grameen always caring for the needy – but I think it is not fair to dismay the work and investment of this business that easily. Whether it brings side benefits to the investors or whether it is a simple add on to a collection of institutions designed for development – the bottom point is how to provide 10 L of fresh drinking water for only 2.5 taka ($0.30 USD cents) to make your business run and more importantly make a village understand they should buy water, a natural resource found in abundance in the country of rivers, Bangladesh?
This seems like an illusionists idea or maybe someone who is really bad at math and business, but this where the fun part. Where the challenge of a social entrepreneur successfully running a social business lies in. Providing clean drinking water for a village or community is a simple answer to the issue, however how to implement this solution, should trigger a neuron in your brain to design a financially sustainable plan that does not compromise quality and is still affordable.
Yes, I know there are entrepreneurs with multimillion dollar ideas – who work hard to develop their business plans, innovate, and fight current competition in the market. But let us not forget, about those entrepreneurs and employees who strive to create such an enterprise with a multimillion social impact per say. Entrepreneurs who chose to tackle a segment where few dare to go, where people can be stubborn to reject a good that is in fact good for them.
So again, for our generation, if the entrepreneurial gene is in our DNA, and we dare to say we love adventure, adrenaline rush, risk taking, exploring, and the “good vibes for all” – what better sector to tackle then social business?
nobinudyokta 