Filipino Ashoka fellows drop by ImpactXchange

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Filipino Ashoka fellows drop by ImpactXchange
Press release: Ashoka fellows share their organizations’ origins, challenges and future plans to members of the Philippines’ government, corporate and social enterprise circles

This is a press release from Smarter Good

MANILA, Philippines – Social enterprise Smarter Good, in partnership with Ashoka Philippines and co.lab, held the second ImpactXChange to host a meet-and-greet with the four newest members of the world’s largest association of social entrepreneurs.

Founded in 1980, Ashoka provides personal and professional support, a living stipend, and connections to a global network of 3,000 Fellows in 70 countries. Its local counterpart, Ashoka Philippines, was officially launched in 2013.

Joining the 3,000-strong global fellowship are 2015 Ashoka Fellows Ines Fernandez of Arugaan, an organization empowering mothers to understand the benefits of breastfeeding and healthy baby food preparation; Kevin Lee of A Single Drop for Safe Water, a social enterprise addressing the problem of water, sanitation and hygiene in vulnerable communities; Cristina Liamzon of the Leadership and Social Entrepreneurship Program, which provides financial literacy training, leadership skills training, personal counseling, and social entrepreneurship classes to Overseas Filipino Workers; and John Paul Maunes of GVSP Philippines, a nonprofit that trains individuals from various sectors to work toward a more inclusive society for the Deaf.

At the ImpactXchange held on January 26 in Makati, the Fellows shared their organizations’ origins, challenges and future plans to members of the Philippines’ government, corporate and social enterprise circles. Attendees included representatives from the National Citizens’ Movement for Free Elections (NAMFREL), United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), Telus International and Sibol ng Agham at Teknolohiya (SIBAT).

Also at the event was the Philippines’ first Ashoka fellow, Fatima Garcia-Lorenzo of Kythe Foundation, Inc. Kythe provides psychosocial support to children hospitalized with cancer and other chronic illnesses. Garcia-Lorenzo became an Ashoka Fellow in 2014. “ImpactXchange is a wonderful opportunity for people who want to do something more for their country to learn from people who were crazy enough to do something great,” said Garcia-Lorenzo, who also attended the first ImpactXchange.

Smarter Good established ImpactXchange to provide a venue for social entrepreneurs to tell their stories, share their passions and connect with other organizations. The first ImpactXchange was held in August 2014 and featured local organizations including Kalibrr, Enchanted Farm Café, Teach for the Philippines, Route+63, Spark Project, Kythe, Youth at Venture, JoomaJam!, Kalayaan COED and Good Food Co.

Sharing the same vision is event partner co.lab, which offers a coworking space to encourage collaborations among like-minded individuals. Ashoka Philippines holds office in co.lab’s space in Pasig City.

Led by 2005 Ashoka Fellow Jane Leu, Smarter Good was established in 2012 and holds offices in San Francisco, California and Makati. Smarter Good provides fundraising and finance services to global nonprofit and non-government organizations to help them focus on achieving their missions. – Rappler.com 

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