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Dear Lenoir foundation Community, Working on the African continent has shown me that community is not just one thing. It can be a collection of your immediate and extended family, your neighbours, friends, colleagues—and it also includes our global community. You are a part of this global community as well. Each of you is a gift to this organisation, and without your support, we would not have been able to truly impact the lives of children in the communities we serve. Your assistance has made it possible for us to offer vital supplies and services to kids who might not have otherwise had access to them. Your contributions have enabled us to have a positive impact on the lives of many children, whether it is by ensuring that they have access to education, a library and a secure and nurturing environment. We are incredibly appreciative of your contribution and promise to use it carefully and effectively. Our mission is to better the lives of children in need, and your support enables us to keep moving forward in that direction. We constantly strive to improve the services we offer. I would also want to use this opportunity to thank our volunteers and employees for their efforts and hard work. We are appreciative for their dedication to helping children in need because of the tireless work they have put into making our work possible. I want to thank you again for your help. Your kindness is sincerely appreciated, and it means so much to us and the kids we work with. We appreciate your support and look forward to working with you to improve the lives of underprivileged children in the future. Thank you for walking this journey with us, and have a fantastic holiday season! Lenoir Foundation. James J Mawaka Founder

The world has evolved and times have changed; for the better as well as for the worse. A lot of tragedies are happening, poverty, famine, war, diseases, overpopulation, etc. The poorest countries are the most affected by this unfortunate situation. Clean water, or a home, (displaced by war), food, etc. There is a growing income inequality gap between the rich and the poor. As of 2022, recent reports show that the richest 10% of the global population currently takes 52% of global income, whereas the poorest half of the population earns 8.5% of it. In one of our recent team building sessions with our team members, we discussed how deep the problem is. Every community, every district, in every country has a gap to fill; from education, health, inclusion, safety, gender equality, etc. We concluded that most communities are victims of a lack of access to equal opportunities across all sectors. It's a cycle of inadequacy passed down from generation to generation, with many living in a single community their whole lives. They grow up shaped by the cultures and perspectives of their small communities, and the pattern continues. At Lenoir Foundation, we strongly believe that through quality education and equal access to opportunities, every child can become the best version of themselves. This is why we have been and continue working with the most marginalized communities to build E-Learning Hubs and libraries, bridging the digital divide. We are currently working with different school heads in different communities to help these children improve their education by providing them with the necessary school supplies. In our most recent fundraiser, we were able to build our 1st library in Kyenda community that can accommodate an average classroom number. We believe one library at a time can make a whole lot of difference. For a future ahead full of limitless possibilities for making a difference in the lives of those in need, we have several fundraisers dedicated to 3 different causes. Our 1st fundraiser is focused on E-learning. The world has indeed evolved for the better with different inventions in technology, but there is still a large number of schools and communities that do not have the privilege to own a desktop computer, laptop, or Ipad. So many schools today do not teach IT-related subjects because they do not have the equipment to use to be able to teach these children the knowledge required. We are collecting computer desktops and laptops as we intend to give them out to schools that need them in providing their students with the knowledge. Our 2nd fundraiser is focused on building our 2nd Library in Africa. Libraries are essential in schools and communities for they provide educational and literacy programs, and public access to information. However, there are many schools in developing countries without structures and books to allow their students to read and provide a gateway to human knowledge and understanding and access to education that enriches society and contributes to the social transformation of communities. Our 3rd fundraiser is targeted toward our Education Assistance Plan. With thousands of school children in struggling communities who often lack or are unable to afford basic school supplies like uniforms, books, pencils, pens, or even tuition. This makes it difficult for them to attend school in their local community smoothly. We make a groundbreaking difference when we come together for a common cause. There are different causes that one may relate with that you can be a part of this giving season within your community that would change a person’s life. We encourage you to support different organizations in any possible way, through volunteering, donating books, clothes, or your knowledge can educate and influence people to take action. We are inspired by the stories of those who continue to make a difference in the world. Our founder always refers to one message, “to live a life that is impactful to others; that is how you will be remembered.” Myles Munroe also once said, “ The value of life is not in its duration but in its donation. You are not important because of how long you live, you are important because of how effectively you live.” Our team and community are driven by these beliefs, that we all have something to give, no matter, how small., it can make a difference in another person’s life. Join us this giving season and be a part of something bigger than yourself. To donate old IT Equipment, visit https://www.facebook.com/donate/504833838368915/ To contribute to our Education Assistance Plan, visit https://www.facebook.com/donate/538790424921150/ To help us build our 2nd library, visit https://www.facebook.com/donate/843379426834912/

In this 21st century era, where information technology is the new oil, it is imperative that people especially those in developing countries embrace it. With almost everything today being carried out by either smart tech or digitally, it is important that we root for those that lack access to the knowledge and resources to be able to learn and be a part of this global movement. Many young people in developing countries are now venturing into acquiring basic and professional Information Technology skills. There's a large market today dedicated to offering training to people irrespective of age who are interested in learning about computer use, computer hardware, software repair, virtual assistant, coding, etc. One major challenge still stands, inadequate resources (laptops, desktops) to carry out the training. Prior to the advent of COVID-19, the desire to be inclined in Information Technology can't be compared to the recent surge. There was a global transformation in companies worldwide as many of them had no other option than to change their mode of operation. While some were closing, others were still functional because of having earlier embraced digital interventions. The best time to invest in the next generation's lives is now, to channel their eagerness and energy for positivity and the mind for productivity and creativity. We are calling on esteemed organizations to partner in this fertile opportunity for donations. As a foundation, we will greatly appreciate I.T. Equipment donations and other required materials needed to bridge the gap in digital literacy. Year in, and year out, companies engage in general overhauling. Old computers, printers, scanners, etc., are disposed of and replaced with new sets. You can donate old office equipment and gadgets rather than let them accumulate dust in a closet or dispose of them. According to the Computers with Causes website, "Your computer donation is completely tax deductible". In the long run, it will put smiles on the beneficiaries. In no time, those trained will not just be gainfully employed but also become trainers to other people.

Reading the children's book Keke Misses Home, written by Lenoir Foundation founder James Jay Mawaka, you might struggle to immediately see what little Keke's story has in common with the internationally recognized Marvel superhero movie Black Panther but both stories, in their way, subtly provide a critical message. Living in the UK, in day-to-day dialogue, you are unfortunately most likely to hear Africa referenced in phrases such as "children are starving in Africa, you know" said almost in jest whenever someone doesn't finish their plate of food or at Christmas time as everyone sings along to Band-Aid's classic "Do they know it's Christmas time? which contains lyrics such as: "And there won't be snow in Africa this Christmas time The greatest gift they'll get this year is life Where nothing ever grows No rain nor rivers flow Do they know it's Christmas time at all?" These phrases are said without a second thought. They are rarely intended to be insulting or inflammatory. Sadly they are just indicative of the lack of representation of the African continent across the globe. Until recently, the first images that would come to mind of Africa for people who have never been there are of the third-world countries shown in adverts for charities, of the malnourished children and the dirty water. And whilst those areas of course still exist, the purpose of this article is not to detract from the fact there is still great poverty across Africa and help is needed in the forms of charities and foundations to eradicate such poor living conditions but to help highlight that many of these African countries have cities and towns that are not so different from the big European cities, that there is also a wealth of culture and first-rate areas to make a living in Africa. Whilst there is still a way to go, it is vital to recognize the great strides in modern media that have been made. We are seeing more and more diverse casts and main characters of color, but that is only the beginning. This brings us back to what Keke Misses Home and Black Panther have in common and what makes them so important regarding representation? They both have persons of color as their main and supporting characters, which thankfully today is also true of other books and films, but the element that gives them greater importance is that they both shine a light on Africa being somewhere you can live a happy life. Yes, it is important to note that Wakanda is a fictional country, and much of the technology is not real (well, at least not yet) but what it shows is a world where the most technologically advanced country in the world is not in America or Europe but Africa. Young African children who watch this can only be inspired, by seeing it on the big screen that there are no limits to what can be achieved. In Keke Misses Home (spoiler alert if you haven't yet read it, you can pick up a copy at Amazon, Walmart, or Barnes & Noble), Keke and her family move to Uganda; by the end of the book, Keke is happy and excited at the prospect of making Uganda her new home. Too often are young African children taught that their only chance at a prosperous life is to escape Africa; books and movies like these show them that there are amazing people and places within Africa. It is not a place to escape but a heritage to be proud of and a place to build a wonderful life. We need more movies like Black Panther and more books like Keke Misses Home to make it into the mainstream to help educate the world that the countries in Africa are so much more than the third world they are all too often portrayed as. That they each have their own culturally rich histories, amazing people, and each in themselves a land of opportunity.

Literacy is the gateway to success, we believe that every child deserves equal opportunity. Without your support, we cannot continue to expand and improve our initiatives. Thanks to donors like you, our Library builds, Digital champions, and Educational assistance programs are growing. Library builds. We not only build libraries but also work with communities empowering them to operate the Libraries and Learning Centres and engage volunteers, librarians, and community children in various developmental activities. Digital Champions Program In a pilot program launched a few months ago, Lenoir Foundation helps older people in the UK to understand the benefits of getting online. We're helping more older people make the most of the digital world through programs that increase skills and confidence. Educational Assistance Program It is Lenoir Foundation’s mission to enable and support children and young people in their education. By providing more children with access to education, we will ensure that the benefits will inevitably filter through into the wider community. It means that more children live free from exploitation. The gift of literacy is yours to give and we will help you give it. Please donate today to help children around the world get access to books, resources, and technology in their classrooms.

Ugandan science teachers' prayers for a salary increase were finally answered recently when the national budget reading had allocated a lumpsum amount to be added in the next financial year for their salary increase. However, this good news wasn't warmly received by the arts teachers. Days later, under a teacher union body; the Uganda National Teachers Union (UNATU) in a statement released to the public, led the Arts teachers to industrial action in protest against the unfairness. Their complaint was why science teachers get a salary rise yet both departments still teach the same students equipping them with the same knowledge and also go through the same challenges as they do. A few days later the Government with the president at the forefront of talks to have an equal salary raise; responded with backlash threatening to fire those teachers that were on strike if they didn't return to work within the next 3 days. In response, The Uganda National Teachers Union defended its members calling for a need for equality. The general secretary Mr. Baguma Filbert of UNATU released a statement earlier this week urging its members to stay strong and not give in to the intimidations from the government that they will be laid off permanently. “We are fighting for equal pay for all teachers, they must be motivated and happy to be able to deliver to their best because they love their job.” He said It is such a shame that after suffering the most extended worldwide 2-year closure, the Ugandan education system still faces challenges like these. It's even more saddening that the argument is about who teaches the most significant subjects in schools, not forgetting the image it portrays to the students who are trying to chase their careers to become anything they want. The victims of this unfortunate circumstance include children/students who are now missing out on classroom learning, they are devastated, but so are their parents who just struggled to pay school fees only for the teachers to stand down shortly after. Speaking to Mrs. Kiboneka Jane one of the oldest teachers at one of the government schools, She said, “I’ve been teaching SST (social studies) for 9 years now. I am very good at it meanwhile. I am more than just a teacher, I am a mentor, a mother, and a friend to most of these children. My students have all excelled and have been ranked number 1 nationwide. I've failed to understand why they’d think that we are of less value addition to their future yet we do more than they acknowledge. The fact that they can even go ahead to threaten to lay us off is even more alarming.” Not only is the student-teacher ratio low today but most classrooms in these government schools do not have teachers. These teachers who are already stretched too thin are being asked to do more with less. The Uganda teachers Union (UNATU) is doing its best to offer support to these teachers by lobbying and advocating for improved working and living conditions for their members who are the teachers. Other stakeholders came out to call the government a detached regime that should instead divert the funds they use on corrupt ventures and instead use it to improve the welfare of all teachers equally. Another renowned member of Parliament for his sense of humor Mr. Mbwatekamwa Gaffa questioned the president. “Are all MP’s scientists? Are the speakers of Parliament scientists? If you knew science was more important, why didn't you Mr. President go and study sciences? Why did you leave Dr. Kizza Besigye(an opposition leader), a scientist, to lead this country? The Ugandan government through the Ministry of Public Service whose sole mandate is to provide fair human resource policies, that facilitate efficient and effective Public Service performance for National development in Uganda, together with the Ministry of Education and Sports are doing the contrary of their main goals. The increase in the salaries of only science teachers yet both teachers are working hard to ensure every student gets a bright future through education is alarming. The government needs to play its role in ensuring that there is equality among teachers that teach both arts and sciences without any segregation which has led to both departments going against each other. We stand with the teachers in this Industrial Action fight against unfair treatment because all teachers deserve equal pay and equal representation. Action needs to be taken now so that more children are not denied their right to quality education.

It is no secret that the pandemic had an effect on the education sector all over the globe. For a country like Uganda, the after effect is enormous. Despite the fact that the education sector in Uganda has normalized with an averagely good number of national and international schools fully open and functional, there’s an unfortunate number of children that are supposed to be in school but are seen loitering the streets. There's an alarming number of young girls getting pregnant and dropping out of school, cases of some teachers changing their jobs to run other businesses for survival. By the time schools opened, the student to teacher ratio was worrying. Other children that were still in school at the time the pandemic hit had also adapted to other hobbies rather than school. They'd been distracted by different things: money, entertainment etc. Most families with meager incomes, which is actually the highest population in the country; just couldn't afford to take their children back to school. Years ago, in its efforts in availing education for everyone, the government of Uganda introduced Universal Secondary and Primary education, where students can access school without having to pay for anything. (free education). With this in place, one would assume, ease in access to education, but unfortunately, it did come with a number of challenges too. Low salaries for teachers, overwhelming numbers of students per class, poorly resourced schools etc. As of December last year, different research scholars reported that more than 20% of the children in 3rd world countries were most likely to drop out of school permanently due to various factors, some of those brought about by the pandemic effect. Sadly, this has come to pass because it is evident in Uganda today, yes a good number of students are back in school but at the same time, a bigger number of those that are supposed to be attending school are not. We spoke to one parent, a drop out and the headteacher of a nearby school in Masanafu, a kampala suburb in Wakiso district. Hajjati Aisha shared that her children are already moving around the neighborhood vending samosas and mandazi as she remains at her stall to sell charcoal. “I can't afford to feed them, provide rent and still pay for their school fees, their father left me. This is all I can afford to give them.” A 16 year old Matovu Bosco working at a Rolex stall shared how he felt that he is not in school, and if he'd like to return. “When schools opened, it was very hard for me to focus. I attended for one term and told my parents that I could not manage. All my best friends at that time had dropped out. It was very hard for me to fit in, so I left. I don't envy my former classmates though. I am glad I am not wasting my parents money. Mr Kironde(real names withheld upon request), the headteacher of a community primary & secondary school in Wakiso District commented that there’s nothing much they can do for the children that did not return to school. He also commented on the hiked school fees prices after COVID “The school needs the money to pay teachers, acquire different education resources, food etc. The amount we charge is the lowest in the neighborhood to give most locals an opportunity to afford it for their children.” When one takes a tour around different kampala’s most busiest places; arcades, malls, downtown, etc the number of young children vending merchandise on the streets is alarming. The looks of their faces communicate that they are really young teenagers who are supposed to be in school attending class. Not mentioning how diverting this exposure to the real world at a younger age can be. Most of their time is spent looking for easy short term means to survival; betting, alcohol, drugs, robbery. Young girls are subjected to materialism, they're lured to give into trading their bodies off for means of survival. With the country’s largest population occupied by the youths, Uganda is likely to face a high criminal rate in 3 to 5 years as a result of lack of access to quality education. We call upon different stakeholders to join hands and find solutions to uplift families and students post pandemic. The Ugandan government needs to discuss post covid recovery strategies for schools and families, to enable children and parents to bounce back strong. As Lenoir Foundation, we are sponsoring a number of children in a community in Nansana to acquire a quality education. These numbers will eventually evolve as we get more resources. Lauren Hill once said In my travels all over the world, I have come to realize that what distinguishes one child from another is not ability, but access to education, access to opportunity, access to love. Children in struggling countries like Uganda need that education, opportunity and love or the future generation is doomed.

The world has truly evolved. Back in the days when our parents went to school and saw a black board, while sitting under a tree or a half finished classroom block, a pencil and an exercise book, that was quality access to education. But as of today, times have changed. The bare minimum, with a teacher in class, reading notes to children is just not enough. Over the last decade, technology has revolutionized education. Nowadays, thousands of schools across the globe have turned to web-based learning systems. The transition to E learning is the future of education. With hundreds of millions of children without access to education, how can they benefit from technology? Or the number of people living in poverty, how can they use e-learning to acquire literacy, or business management skills. The efficiency and effectiveness for E learning is evident as of the recent pandemic as most schools and children (for those that could afford it) had access to education continuously. The need for E learning. The high birth rate has caused the number of school-aged children to grow beyond the number of seats in classrooms. Benefits of E learning E-learning offers a wide range of tools to enable both teachers and learners to be innovative, creative and resourceful in all learning activities. E-learning creates on-line communities of practice. The Internet can bring learners, teachers, specialist communities, experts, practitioners and interest groups together to share ideas and good practice. E-learning can provide an individualized learning experience for all learners, including those who are disadvantaged, disabled, exceptionally gifted, have special curriculum or learning needs or who are remote or away from their usual place of learning. E-learning provides personalized learning support through information, advice, and guidance services. It can help learners find the course they need, with a seamless transition to the next stage of their learning. E-learning provides virtual learning worlds where learners can take part in active and creative learning with others through simulations, role-play, remote control of real world tools and devices, online master classes, or collaboration with other education providers. Elearning is crucial in the development of education especially in struggling 3rd world countries like Uganda. As much as it comes at the cost of electricity, facilities that accommodate E learning centers for computers, it is all worth it. As the Lenoir Foundation, we can only do what we can to support access to education, but with your help, we can do so much more. We collect old office equipment, ipads etc, and funds to build more facilities for children and adults to aid access to education through libraries and E learning centers. Join the cause now, support access to education through by making a donation.

The other day i came across this interesting quote by ― Paulo Coelho ““dreams can’t be tamed, dreams are not for sale” The only thing you can truly call yours are your dreams, there are thousands of people who share your name but not one who shares your dream. What's your dream? How will you let the world know that a certain" YOU" existed? These are questions one must ask themselves at some point in life. I've made it my mission to educate underprivileged children unless they get an education, there will be no end to the cycle of poverty. I’m an immigrant, and classically, the way immigrants get out of poverty is through education. It was early 2015 when I decided to setup LeNoir Foundation, a non- profit organisation that specifically focused on providing access to basic education to underprivileged individuals residing in Zimbabwe and India. Three years later, I find myself on my way to visit our first school.. Even though it had been almost a year of preparation, I had not felt any sort of anxiety or excitement until I was landing at Indira Gandhi International Airport. My first book 'Business. Impact. Brand.' had just been published so I had not had a lot of time to let everything sink in and fully prepare for this trip. The air was hot and sticky and the large amounts of people and noise everywhere was overwhelming. Earlier I had read a report stating New Delhi may be one of the biggest metropolises in the world with a population of around 18 million, but nearly half its people live in slums and unauthorised colonies without any civic amenities. I knew this will be a very interesting trip and I had to keep an open mind. An hour into taking in new life halfway across the world I finally met in the flesh Vasudev Foundation founder, Prateek Saini. A man of my own heart, Prateek and I had been friends and partners for about 2 years and we had just accomplished our first big goal together; we wanted to make a difference so we built a school in the middle of the slums in Delhi. Located in the middle of Shiv Mandir Gali, Rohini Sector 4 in Delhi.... one could of mistaken it for the place they filmed "Slum Dog Millionaire". There were no tourists in the slums and I certainly didn't want to be the visitor that came in, took a few snapshots for my Facebook page and go off without really understanding anything. Prateek gave me insightful information on the culture, people and how our school had been doing since we opened it a few months earlier. I was so grateful to see a side of Delhi that tourists rarely get to see and experience. The next morning we didn't waste any time, still suffering from jet lag I was eager to visit our school. The hustle and bustle of early morning Delhi traffic was overwhelming indeed. Once you enter the inner city slums the roads and highways are a hodgepodge of cars, bikes, carts and animals going in all directions but the same. I LOVED IT! As we arrived on the dirt covered track, we pulled along side a building that held the school banner. There it was "VASUDEV FREE SCHOOL". On entering warm introductions were made between me and our loyal teachers of the school. In usual Indian tradition I was greeted with a rose from one of our students and Tilaka (a Hindu ritual of marking someone's forehead with a red fragrant paste as a welcome and expression of honor when they arrive). I was so honoured and humbled to meet all the students and teachers that had been a part our vision. We provide the students with textbooks, notebooks, pens, pencils, school bags and all the school stationery they need. Besides English, Hindi and basic Math we decided to include Mindfulness in the curriculum. Practising yoga and meditation helps retain sufficient energy and concentration for quality learning whilst they are in their lessons. This is a great achievement for us and we’re really pleased to be able to teach these children. We are content to be able to put a smile on their faces. Our sole aim is for these students to get the best education possible so we try to impart the best that we have. On entry, the children were doing their daily stretches and breathing techniques in preparation for their meditation session which is a part of the schools curriculum. I was delighted to be a part of the extreme calm that came over the class. I even witnessed some children so relaxed they began to fall asleep. Once the meditation and chanting was over they were all awake, present and much more aware. Insightful conversations were sparked between the teachers and myself as I learned about their backgrounds, the reason they wanted to be a part of the organisation and their view of mindfulness being a part of a school's curriculum. Our amazing teachers Sharma Sona & Divya Goel Through LeNoir Foundation we plan to build 5 schools in Asia and Africa by 2022. I honestly can say this crazy idea now feels attainable. We are being helped by our local volunteers and charitable donations from friends and family. Sharma and Divya our teachers work tirelessly to prepare lessons and offer the students our very best teaching. To date we currently have 30 children enrolled. With the help of organasation such as NEWS NOW, EAK and other generous donors we are now able to offer ESL Kids Online Lessons. Our hard work is bearing fruit and we are looking forward to seeing the change that is going to take place very soon. While interacting with the children and presenting them with their new school uniforms I felt a combination of being grateful, humbled and a huge sense of responsibility. I came to realisation that I was a part of something much bigger than myself and any small changes I was about to make for myself and by extension the foundation would make a huge impact for many people and the future of our world. I am grateful that life has led me on this path to lead, uplift and connect people from all over the world. During my stay in India I was blessed to see so many amazing sights such as the Taj Mahal, The Red Fort and The Swaminarayan Akshardham (Highly recommend) and met with so many other kind, caring personalities that I have built long lasting connections with. I've had a remarkable life. I seem to be in such good places at the right time. If I were to sum up my life in one word: GRATEFUL. I would like to thank each and every person who is associated with me in my efforts and may we continue to help build a better future. I know there are people who believe children are the future and the fact that we must place emphasis on their stability. People who are concerned about their communities and are willing to make the extra effort to give back even when the community just takes. People who believe in the good in every person and that we all deserve a chance to become our best selves on this journey called life. If you are one of these people or if you have any hope for a better world and hope for a better self I implore you to DONATE to our cause and help us purchase Yoga mats & Classroom Furniture. Let's do this together and invest in our future.

In the past decade or so there has been exponential growth in the sociality of business. The rise of the internet and social media has revolutionised the way in which business is conducted, information is so readily and freely available that the transparency of a business is now paramount. This development has also led to a major increase in the number of social enterprises that springing up all over the world. For a social enterprise it is essential to be able to measure social impact, after all the measurement of social impact is a direct correlation to answering the question ‘What does your enterprise do?’ For a social enterprise, answering that question must go beyond simply achieving a respectable profit margin, as a social enterprise, our social or environmental impact is how we show the value of our organisation. So how does a social enterprise actually measure social impact? There unfortunately isn’t a simple answer to this that can be applied to all social enterprises. You have to take into account the size of your enterprise, what stage it is at and the mission and goals of your enterprise. For a small start up social enterprise a common sense approach to measuring social impact can go a long way. This means there is no need to spend money on bringing in external evaluators or get bogged down in rigorous and complex models of impact measurement. For a small company, the best way to measure social impact is to answer these basic questions, what is the mission of my enterprise?, how many people have I reached? If your goals are environmental track the geography and measure the size of the areas that you have reached, the number of people who have benefited from your organisation. Comparing these numbers with the overall goals of your enterprise will give a basic idea of where your company is at and if it is achieving interim goals you should have set. Measuring social impact is just as important for keeping on target for monthly goals or yearly goals it is not just about measuring against the end goal of the enterprise. As your enterprise grows and data collection and analysis grows more complex, this is where employing a more rigorous system for measuring social impact becomes important. There are two main systems for measuring social impact; Social Audit Network (SAN) and Social Return on Investment (SROI). A social audit is an external assessment of the process for social accounting. The process for social accounting has four main stages as illustrated in the image below: The above process is an effective way of monitoring performance, it allows stakeholders to have a say and is effective in having the ability to highlight areas in which improvements can be made, unfortunately it is not without its drawbacks, it is a time consuming process and you have to factor in the cost of social auditors, hence why this method is not recommended for small start up enterprises as they could well be costs that you are not at a stage you can afford. There is also the danger of manipulating stakeholder views, but if you have taken on board the advice of previous articles then you should have stakeholders that you trust implicitly to be honest and professional. The other method, SROI, measures service outcomes to compare the financial investments made against the benefits created for the stakeholders (added value). A longer term assessment of the value of outcomes in terms of market values or values to government or other ‘proxies' and putting a sterling value on them. The term proxy is a substitute source of the value of the outcomes but must be a reliable source for example the EU. Below is a template of an impact map: Once again we must weigh up the pros and cons of the above method, an advantage of this method is that it is much less time consuming, its step by step process makes it easy to follow and the way in which the data is encapsulated makes it very useful in terms of marketing and selling. The use of proxies however is where the disadvantages come in, there is an obvious danger of using them to overstate values. Also as a social enterprise you will inevitable have a lot of ‘soft outcomes’ such as ‘quality if life’ it can be very difficult to find a proxy from a reliable source that is able to put a value on that. This article has given a brief overview of the ways in which social impact can be measured, however the most important thing to take away is just how increasingly important it is to measure social impact whether you are only starting out and are relying on internal members to measure the impact via common sense approach or if you are growing beyond that and are employing more statistical methods. Measuring social impact is key for a social enterprise, to finish off here are a few reasons why: Access to finance Measuring impact is a sign of a well run ship It helps tell your story to stakeholders Achieving your purpose And most importantly impact reporting is here to stay, if your enterprise is to succeed in this increasingly empirical world, then we need the proof. “Show me the money” will become “Show me the impact”.

At many businesses you’ll hear the managing director or the CEO describe the business as ‘a family’ in an attempt to give it the appearance of a cohesive unit of employers and employees working together in harmony. But if we dig a little deeper into that cliché and question what a family really is in today’s modern society we realise that the answer depends on which member of the family you are asking and that each member will give very different answers, this is akin to each member of staff at your business telling a different story when it comes to describing their role and objectives in relation to just why they work for you and what it is they do. What is a family? First and foremost a family is your relatives, people that you had no choice in being connected to, whilst that may sound harsh, from a business perspective it is important to make that distinction, because in a social enterprise you do choose your volunteers. Breaking a family down into its components you have the parents and the children, you can equate this to employers/employees or managers/volunteers, this is where in a business sense the cliché really begins to break down. A distinctive divide has already been created and an ‘us vs them’ dynamic is the last thing you want when building a social enterprise. Let’s look at the children as these are supposedly akin to your employees/volunteers; in cliché terms what does every family have? The golden child – the model employee, can do no wrong, the employee you wish all your employees were like. But if we take a step back and question how does the golden child themselves describe their role, to them they feel an immense pressure, they carry other employees, they feel they do more work than the others but still get treated the same. (Because what will every parent tell you: ‘I treat all my children equally.’) This pressure and resentment towards fellow workers can create a toxic atmosphere, something no enterprise or business needs. The quintessential middle child – The forgotten employee, probably has been at the company years, never promoted, never demoted, just part of the furniture. The apathetic employee, no longer has belief in the company to become more than it is. Apathy can be just as dangerous as toxicity, for a social enterprise to succeed you need the continued belief of your volunteers that you are achieving something and always moving forward. “You can easily judge the character of a man by how he treats those who can do nothing for him”. (Forbes, 1972) The black sheep – there are two kinds of black sheep a business can have, first we have the clever black sheep, not interested in what they can do for the company but interested in what the company can do for them. They’re not at the company to make friends or be a part of something special; they’re gaining experience or resources that they can then use for their own end goals. In a standard business model this can be an acceptable employee to take on, for a short period of time for mutual benefit, if the service they provide is good, however for a social enterprise you can’t have someone who isn’t there for the cause and to be a part of what you’re building. The second type of black sheep is the one that sucks up to the management, but treats their fellow employees/volunteers like second class citizens; this can be a common trait of second tier management employees. They keep their job because the management doesn’t see it, but it strengthens that ‘us vs. them’ divide, sows seeds of resentment between employee and employer. As a good manager of a social enterprise it is vital that you be on the lookout for this type of person. Take heed of the following quote: The coaster – The employee careful enough to do the bare minimum, so they don’t get noticed for not working, but no interest in going above and beyond. This is the employee that turns up for the paycheck. Thankfully in the case of volunteers for a social enterprise this is not relevant but always good to be aware of. The brutal reality is that whilst the idea of a family might, on the surface, give the impression of a great place to work a new employee/volunteer need only spend a few weeks in the business to realise the business is just as dysfunctional as the family they have at home. So if we don’t want to manage/describe our social enterprise as a family, how do we want to envisage them? We want a group of people with a common goal, we want loyalty and commitment. The most important job you have as leader of a social enterprise is convincing others to believe in the cause, to be as passionate about it as you are; otherwise you fail before you begin. So practice those rousing speeches now, believe it and mean it. In books or film and television we come across many stories about bands of brothers, sisterhoods or fellowships who have united together to achieve something great. They volunteered their services and against all odds they were victorious. A social enterprise is very much the same, you are inviting people aboard your ship and offering them passage to the same destination you are trying to reach in return for them helping you to sail it. The key part of the above metaphor is ‘the same destination’ if you want a social enterprise to work you have to make sure you understand the difference between people working for you and people working with you. In a social enterprise your volunteers are working with you, they get out of it what you get out of it. Your volunteers will not feel inspired to go above and beyond the call of duty, if they get the same out of it regardless of their efforts and if going above and beyond will only see benefits for the manager. You will encourage them to grow and develop if they can see that their efforts are making a difference for everyone and are bringing the whole ship closer to its mutual destination. In managing volunteers it is crucial to treat them as individuals, know their talents, their traits, what they need to work on and what they are already good at. If you were planning a heist, it would be no good to have six getaway drivers but no safe cracker, just like in any team you need to build the best crew, which means having people with a variety of strengths, pick apart the CVs of those applying to be a part of your enterprise, don’t just go for the best looking people on paper, make sure as a whole your crew tick all the boxes. Whilst a social enterprise is built on a democratic model it is still important to have a hierarchical structure in place, as the leader of the social enterprise you are its Captain. You need to not just lead those around you but inspire them. A cornerstone of a successful social enterprise is respect, two-way respect. Don’t ask your crew to do anything you wouldn’t ask of yourself. Respect that there will be individuals on your crew that know more than you about certain aspects of your business, but that is why you hired them, don’t be afraid to let them know how integral they are, how much you rely on them. Make sure everyone knows their role, why they are important and what it is that they bring to the team. Encourage them to respect each other, and whilst there is a leadership structure in place it is to make the day to day running of the enterprise easier, it is not because anyone is more important than anyone else. In summary, don’t treat a social enterprise like a family, it's more than that. It’s a group of people who have chosen to come together, to work together for a common goal. The key ingredients to managing volunteers, and making them grow as you build your enterprise, is to inspire them, lead from within and always treat them as your equals because without them you have no enterprise, you just have a dream. @Jay_savy

Many educators are introducing meditation into the classroom as a means of improving kids’ attention, social-emotional learning and therefore producing positive student outcomes. Do you agree that achieving some mastery over the mind through improved awareness and concentration is essential in all human activity; but mere preaching is of little use......... We currently sponsor 3 children in New Delhi India. Our academic scholarship combines study, spiritual and yogic meditative practice. This offers much more than just a way to exercise the body; it also helps our students experience emotional well-being and develop a strong sense of self. We believe once our inner world begins to change, our outer world shifts to reflect our new perspective. It costs £213 a year for each students education, which is not paid for by the government. Currently we have been using own resources; have provided books, bags, pencils, group yoga classes and other school essentials. This year, we would like to help send more children to school, and hopefully be able to pay for all of their education every year by holding charity events, public speaking, fundraising dinners, sponsorship and using websites like Gofundme.com The target of £950 covers everything needed to enroll 3 more students on to our scholarship programme for one year, including tuition fees, admission, books, extra classes, transport, uniforms and shoes. Hence, education for one child costs less than £1/day. Your contribution is a gift to the future generations who will bring their knowledge, their spirit and their gratitude home to share with communities around the world. ANY amount you might be able to give is welcome! https://www.chuffed.org/project/lenoirfdn Who’s behind this campaign. LeNoir Foundation is an incredible social enterprise founded by social enterprise expert Jay Mawaka-Smith & Prateek Saini, LeNoir Foundation was created exclusively for charitable purposes, specifically focused on providing relief to poor, distressed, and underprivileged children residing in India and Zimbabwe by developing academic scholarships and educational programs. We lovingly extend our hands to those in need to provide excellent, life-changing opportunities. In addition we strive to prepare them so that they may overcome daily challenges and receive a better future. @jay_savy