SMU Publieation: The Business Timer Date: q 3 June 2006 Headline: Social entrepreneurs

Social entrepreneurs 5 SMU students tackle community service by putting schoolwork into practice, reports KELVIN SAM

J ANICE Yeo. Han Pingping. Jace Chong. Alvin Chia and Diasla Chong are all activo student volunteers. What makes them different from other student volunteers is their membership in SIFE, Students In Free Enterprise. SIFE is a worldwide non-profit ini-

tiative that seeks to teach important concepts such as market economics, entrepreneurship. and business ethics. These concepts are o h hrought across by SIFE teams through educa- tional outreach projects to better themselves, their communities and l o i r countries.

Singapore Management University's SIFE club provides a different spin to the phrase "eommuaity service". By applying it In the 80- cial context. SIFE implemene the idea of en-

treprenourship. While serving the community by lending a helping hand to non-profit organ- isations. this club also alms to maximise its impact on the community by appkying busi- ness and economic concepts.

Staying true to SIFE vision The SMU SIFE team has been staying true to SIFE's vision by rigorously applying their business skills to their project with ChaCha Cottage, one of the many outreach projects they performed. Founded by Angella Cheng, this nun-profit organisation aims to provide single mothers or women in financial need with bomsbased work b sustain their fami- lies financially. Typically, these women are taught to manufacture products such crs scent- ed maps and aromatherapy candles.

"For our project with ChaCha Cottage, we were hoping to improve consmer awareness of their products and a steady emam of in- come for these women. Together, we wanted them t~ achieve Rnancial independence." says Jaw.

In the past seven months, these five SMU students have been working hand-in-hand with Ms Cbeng. For example. the team recom- mended that ChaCha Cottage focus on produc- ing beauty soaps which are less labour-inten- sive wmpared to scented candles.

Other business concepts [ncluded introduc- ing improved distribution channels through the Internet and sourcing for bulk contracts instead of selling products at piece rates. Web- site design skills were aught so that the main- tenance ef thembsita cauld be done in-house.

AMn also recalled having caned up spas and massage centres to source for interested parties who wanted to purchase the produns in bulk.

For the SMU SlPE team, this community service initiative goes beyond scented candles and business concepts. I ts members see p t meaning in what they do and are driven by a desire to do even more for the community.

" W i g this project has made me aware of the less fortunate in society and the need for us to show our care and concern for them." says Pingping. "In helping them. I've also l d m t that society may have neglected these individ- uals in spite of the eonstant talk about helping them. 1 f@ that more ean be done by the rest of us. to give back to society what we have tak- en from it."

. . Getting the urge to do more For Jsaice. the un?e to do more b m n one

'Wwthb cl], project has m d e m r-- 'LJ aware of the less

fottunate in sodwety

and the need for us

toshowour -

care and cawern for I I

- Han Pingping .1 -. & @kart in rim pl- (From Itr/t) Alvin, Diana. Janice. Pingping and Jace see great meaning in what they do

evening while was watching one of G ~ a ~ o n - al Kidney Foundation's charity shows,

"Each year. during the annual NKP charity shows. the heat-wrenching stories of each kidney patient always a f f d me. But as with many, the impact of these scenes laded just ahout as long as the event dld.

'"CBfs project was particularly m-1 and exdting as I could apply abstract textbook knowledge leamt in ckss to a d lib situa- tion. There is deffniteiy more to what I GUI do than dlalllng a donation hofflne!"

When asked to describe her motto in life. Janice waxes lyrical, citing a poem that's a personal fkvourito. "Some people see things as they are and ask why; others dream things that are not and ask why not. What tbe mind can conceive and believe, it can achieve."

Apart from being an aspiring social entre- preneur, Janice displays a certain literary sareak as well.

With the completion of their project, the team is looking fornard to the annual national SIFE competition on June 18 when SIFE teams from tertiary institutions in Singapore will present their various projects.

If their h i m is successful, they can look for- ward to a trip abroad where they wiD preseat theft project to their counterpsrts around the world.