In honour of Canada Day, I thought it would be interesting to focus on a Canadian social enterprise that has gained international attention. You may have first heard about Me to We on the Oprah Winfrey Show or some other American television program, but this social enterprise is 100% Canadian.
From Free the Children to Me to We
In 1995, 12 year old Craig Kielburger and his brother Marc began their mission to provide education to children around the world through their charity Free the Children. Today, Free the Children has built over 650 schools and every day provides 55,000 children access to education. Additionally, Free the Children has been involved in alternative income programs, water and sanitation projects and has increased the accessibility to medical resources for over one million individuals living in the third world.
Noticing that the administrative costs associated with running a charity diminished the funds reaching those in need and that a pure business model did not fit their mission, the brothers decided to enter the realm of social enterprise by blending charitable impact with business practices. In 2008, the Kielburger brothers were able to increase the sustainability of Free the Children by developing the innovative social enterprise Me to We. Me to We is a mechanism for social change that inspires first world citizens into making a difference. These programs are geared towards youth helping youth and over a million youth have been engaged worldwide since its inception.
Looking for adventure and want to make a difference?
Me to We offers leadership training programs and international volunteer trips to China, India, Africa and South America. Volunteers, who participate in Me to We excursions, build schools and actively provide education to children around the world. Fifty-percent of the revenue generated through these programs is used to offset the expenses of Free the Children interventions with the goal of decreasing the administration costs to zero—this means that every dollar raised is going directly to those they are trying to help. The remaining 50% of revenue is reinvested into Me to We to assist in operations and future growth. Me to We measures their bottom line by the social and environmental impacts that are made by the organization not the dollars earned:
– Over 220,000 volunteer hours on their trips
– Reached almost 400,000 people via their presentations, books, leadership programs and speeches
– Employed over 500 artisans across these communities
These excursions are offered to youth, school groups, adults and companies as a way to experience the world while helping others.
How can you be involved?
If taking part in a Me to We excursion is out of reach, you can support their mission from the comfort of your own home. Me to We aims to change the way consumers consume by offering environmentally-friendly and socially conscious products. Visit their shop to view their unique domestically-produced products.
As we are approaching Canada Day, keep in mind the amazing things Canadians are capable of, not only domestically but also internationally. Have a great long weekend and be sure to celebrate our country’s amazing accomplishments!