Learn how Gawad Kalinga Enchanted Farm in the Philippines is Changing the World

Summary

The script narrates the inspiring journey of a nonprofit, Guard Kalina Community Development Foundation, and its initiative, GK Enchanted Farm, which aims to end poverty by building communities and empowering social entrepreneurs. Founded by Tony Meloto, it has transformed lives by replacing violence with skills training and entrepreneurship. With the help of Oracle NetSuite's social impact grant, the organization has streamlined its operations, enabling it to focus on its mission to uplift five million Filipino families and create 500,000 social enterprises.

Takeaways

• 🌱 The Guardian Kalina Community Development Foundation was established in 2003 with a mission to end poverty.
• 🏰 In 2010, the GK Enchanted Farm was founded by Tony Meloto to address deep poverty and promote peace through community building.
• 🔑 The farm started with training and reintegration programs, encouraging individuals to abandon violence and join peaceful communities.
• 🏘️ Over 2,500 communities have been established across the country as zones of peace, contributing to the broader goal of poverty alleviation.
• 📈 The vision is to end poverty for five million families, with a focus on social entrepreneurship and self-sufficiency in local produce sales.
• 🎓 The farm operates Seed Philippines, a school for experiential and entrepreneurial development, empowering students to become social entrepreneurs.
• 💼 The growth of the organization necessitated a shift from manual processes to technology, specifically Oracle NetSuite, to streamline operations.
• 📊 NetSuite's flexibility and automation capabilities have significantly reduced administrative time, allowing the team to focus on their mission.
• 📈 The platform has enabled the creation of 500,000 social enterprises, contributing to the goal of uplifting five million Filipinos from poverty.
• 📚 Tax reporting has been simplified with NetSuite, reducing the need for multiple people to prepare and review reports.
• 👩‍👧‍👦 The farm has become a thriving community with hospitals, clinics, and educational opportunities, transforming the lives of its residents.

Q & A

What was the primary goal of establishing the Guard Kalina Community Development Foundation and the GK Enchanted Farm?

The primary goal was to end poverty, with the two institutions working together as building blocks towards this objective.

Who founded the GK Enchanted Farm and why?

GK Enchanted Farm was founded by Tito Tony Mulatto to address deep-rooted poverty and to encourage individuals to give up their violent lifestyles.

How did the individuals who returned to the slums fare after giving up their violent ways?

Many of them faced attacks, stabbings, and shootings, which led to the initiative of building peaceful communities.

What is the significance of the over 2500 communities established across the country?

These communities represent a zone of peace and are part of the broader vision to end poverty for five million families.

What was the vision on May 10, 2014, for the movement of social entrepreneurs and businesses?

The vision was to build a movement of social entrepreneurs and businesses that could help the poor, eliminating the need for middlemen and empowering them to sell their own produce.

What is Seed Philippines and how does it relate to the farm's educational efforts?

Seed Philippines is a school within the farm that provides experiential and entrepreneurial development, transforming the lives of students who once lived under harsh conditions.

How did the introduction of technology impact the productivity and efficiency of the farm and its social enterprises?

Technology, particularly the Oracle NetSuite platform, greatly reduced administrative time, allowed for customization of processes, and automated tasks, enabling the organization to focus on its goals and scale efficiently.

What is the role of the Oracle NetSuite social impact grant in the growth of the farm and its associated enterprises?

The grant provided the farm with access to the Oracle NetSuite platform, which streamlined operations, improved efficiency, and allowed for faster decision-making and growth.

How has the farm's approach to social entrepreneurship evolved over time?

It has evolved from a few initial products to over 95 different SKUs, necessitating the use of advanced tools like Oracle NetSuite to manage inventory and operations effectively.

What is the significance of the plush toy making business in the context of the farm's social mission?

The plush toy making business represents an opportunity for local moms, who were previously garment factory workers, to regain their livelihood and dignity through their sewing skills, while also creating products that benefit various communities.

What is the broader impact of the farm's activities on the local communities and the country as a whole?

The farm's activities have led to the creation of jobs, provision of healthcare facilities, and establishment of social enterprises, contributing to the overall well-being and economic development of the communities and the country.