“The level of organization and structure behind this program is extensive. This program allows students to take what they have learned inside the classroom and apply and adapt it to this extremely unique, entrepreneurial experience. I truly believe that unlike many of the more “traditional” internship opportunities, it has the power to help students explore their passions, find out more about who they really are, and use their experiences in the program to design the path they choose to take next.”


Emily Grey, Assistant Director ,
Undergraduate Career Development,
Center for Career Education, Columbia University

Social Entrepreneur Corps was established by the development professionals of The New Development Solutions Group  to provide university students and recent graduates with the means to truly experience and participate in innovative development work within a unique cultural, language learning and adventurous environment. .
Social Entrepreneur Corps was founded by social entrepreneurs Greg Van Kirk and George "Bucky" Glickley. Greg and Bucky are former Guatemalan Peace Corps Volunteers who have been working for the past six years to create intelligent entrepreneurial solutions for long-standing development problems either through their own initiatives or for other organizations. As a part of this effort The New Development Solutions Group was created which is comprised of four entities apart from Social Entrepreneur Corps:

Community Enterprise Solutions
 A US non profit working in Guatemala whose mission is to convert what have traditionally been rural relief/development projects into profitable, locally-run social entrepreneurship ventures.

New Development Solutions
A consulting firm that has been contracted by organizations such as USAID, Chemonics Intl., Scojo Foundation, Soros Foundation, Church World Service and Water for People.

New Development Experience
A company that  provides a means for small groups to visit  Guatemala and gain insight into the culture and development work in an adventurous structure. Trips include mission trips, artisan trips and alternative spring break trips.
Ayudasoft
A software firm that designs solutions for grant makers and grant seekers to better measure and evaluate impact as well as to create media to promote their good works.

It is primarily through the network of Community Enterprise Solutions (CE Solutions) expatriate volunteers and hard-working local social entrepreneurs that we are able to maximize Social Entrepreneur Corps volunteers' precious time in the country. Only through years of extremely hard work and organic growth have we been able to create an infrastructure in which short term volunteers can have such a substantial experience and contribute so positively in such short periods of time. Through Social Entrepreneur Corps we are proud to say that we have been able to create a unique situation in which all parties involved, foreigners and locals alike, gain immeasurably from the experience.


"The team is comprised of hard-working, intelligent individuals who are successfully mixing their social goals with a very strong sense of hard work and dedication."

Ricardo Frohmader,
Project Manager,
Chemonics International Inc

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A Development Story

The Multiplier Effect
-$289,284.00

How does Community Enterprise Solutions "multiply the gift"? First, let's look at the wood burning stove business. Our three entrepreneurs sell these stoves and build them on-site for $80 each. The family who buys the stove makes six equal monthly payments with no interest. Based on September sales of 21 stoves (a slow month) the entrepreneurs netted $203 . In addition, as the average family spends $30 a month on wood before purchasing the stove and saves at least 50% in wood consumption with the stove, the stoves save $15 per month per family . Thus during the payback period the stove pays for itself. Finally, given that the stove should last at least five years, each family will save roughly $810 in total fuel wood purchases (this is equal to eight or so months wages for a farmer). Adding it all together, the total direct economic benefit of the September stove activity is $17,213.

Second, let's look at the women entrepreneurs or Vision Advisors who give exams and sell eye glasses. In September we supported 50 women who speak six different native languages. Thirty five of these were active in the field and fifteen were in training conducted by our staff. These women sold 343 pairs of glasses (248 reading glasses) for $5 each. Of this $5 they net roughly $1.25 and return the rest to be used for further glasses purchases, advertising, and equipment purchases etc. They also sold 387 other products including eye drops, cases and cords. The Vision Advisors' total net earnings in September were $676 Assuming that of the 248 reading glass purchasers (almost all for their first time) half will now gain one months' productivity over the course of their use of the glasses (they can see and thus work up close again!) and an average monthly wage in rural Guatemala of $50 (averaging men and women), this equals a total economic benefit of $6,200. Thus the total direct economic benefit of the September glasses sales business is $6,876.

So, amazingly, with just these two CE Solutions initiatives the economic benefit totals $24,107 based on September activities. And using this as an average month (actually entrepreneur and sales numbers are often higher and are increasing), the total annual direct economic effect would be $289, 284.00 annually.

 
Social Entrepreneur Corps is an initiative of New Development Experience LLC, 2007