Is it possible to help 1 million people out of extreme poverty by finding and enabling 1000 local Changemakers in some of the world’s poorest countries, in the next decade?
Well, Spark* is a non-profit aiming to do just that.
Connect Africa was invited by Spark* South Africa to a lunch in April 2014 to assist in this process, by hearing the pitches of 14 Changemakers and then casting a vote for the Spark* South Africa Changemaker of the Year 2014
These fourteen Social Entrepreneurs had just been through an intensive 5 day programme equipping them with entrepreneurial skills, and the mindset to make their impact as big as possible. And all fourteen of them not only showed the passion for their respective ventures, but also the enthusiasm to succeed in order to have a much needed impact in their communities.
The person who won the title of “Spark* South Africa Changemaker of the Year 2014” went to Paul Talliard of Hands of Honour. The audience believed Paul would make the biggest impact with his venture which takes men out of soup kitchens to upcycle and sell distressed or obsolete stock from local companies. The profits are used as salaries and to improve the impoverished yet most productive areas of the community, like painting schools or planting food gardens.
It was inspiring to hear the social entrepreneurs pitch their ideas, and know that they are more equipped from their attendance in the Spark* programme to impact in their communities positively.
