"Social entrepreneur" is a fairly new term for a phenomena that has actually been around for quite some time. Many social innovators and change agents can be considered social entrepreneurs. It combines the passion of a social mission with an image of business-like discipline, innovation, and determination commonly associated with, for instance, the high-tech pioneers. The time is certainly ripe for entrepreneurial approaches to social problems. Many governmental and philanthropic efforts have fallen far short of our expectations. Major social sector institutions are often viewed as inefficient, ineffective, and unresponsive. Social entrepreneurs are needed to develop new models for a new century.
During December I was visiting the orphaned and abandoned children in “Zyber Hallulli” Children Home, SOS Village, Babies Home in order to spread happiness during the end year holidays.
I was surprised at SOS Village it was really " A loving home for ever child".
Hermann Gmeiner (Social entrepreneur) was an Austrian philanthropist and the founder of SOS Children's Villages. In recognition of his services to orphaned and abandoned children, he was always at pains to stress that it was only thanks to the support of millions of people that it had been possible to achieve the goal of providing abandoned children with a permanent home, and that still applies today.
At “Zyber Hallulli” Children Home (government institution)the atmosphere was different, childrenaren't so happy and nothing look like a loving home.
In short, social entrepreneurs are changemakers, agents of change who pursue new, hopeful models to make a difference in our world.
Elda,
ReplyDeleteIn addition to your idea beside all the differences between "Zyber Hallulli" and Sos village there is hope that even in small countries like ours people (social entrepreneurs) take social responsibilities and try to change the world they live in. I think that they are really couragous people with a strong altruistic spirit...
Ortenca Tuci
Hi Elda,
ReplyDeleteThe conditions between these two institutions are quite different and we are aware, but there is one similarity in both, they are the shelter that protects these children. Both have the willingness to create a warm environment. The governmental one of course cannot be at the level of SOS Village, but at least the staff which work under bad conditions and with lover wages, try to do their best to achieve it. They fight to change not their world but the world of these children’s.
Thanks,
Blerina