The Didi Society:Empowering women through just trade and education

Didi works for positive, lasting change by empowering women through trade, and educating youth in Victoria and the global north. “…there is no tool for development more effective than the empowerment of women” ~ Kofi Anaan, former Secretary-General to the UN

Lasting change:By educating youth here in Victoria, we hope to encourage and challenge the inherent inequalities that the current world trade system produces.

What does Didi mean?

We chose this name because it reflects the relationship we hope to maintain with the women's groups we work with.

It reflects the respect and familial relationship that we encourage within the organization and within society. 

Didi = respected elder sister in Hindi.

Where did this start?

The wonderful women from the beginning

Opportunities We offer youth and young adults the

opportunity to volunteer Volunteers receive valuable mentorship,

training and feedback from qualified and experienced professionals

We actively partner with community members and groups to increase awareness and opportunity

Products Our products come

from India, Kenya and Guatemala.

We’re looking into partnering with local artists to have some product lines finished here, locally

Education We have an exciting new pilot project

we hope to launch in June including training facilitators (youth and young adults) in youth social justice facilitation!

Our program will continue to expand, as it has this past year with invitations from across districts

Board and Volunteers Our Board of Directors is a fun, young,

innovative bunch

Volunteers are a constant surprise! Quality, determination, expertise and

interest One Goal of 2013 is to create an effective

volunteer management strategy

Partnerships Community Micro Lending Cordova Bay United Church Ethical Deal Ten Thousand Villages Moksana Yoga Global Villages Victoria Global Villages Penticton BC Teachers Foundation School District 61 Central Middle School

Challenges Volunteer

Management as we grow

Sharp increase in programs stretches resources

Multi-focused goals Solid communication

with cooperatives Volunteer run –

juggling jobs Social Enterprise a

new concept Funding is limited

for social enterprises

Start-up business versus charity status

Supports we would love to have access to: Advice on structure (Charity vs.

Business) Grants for Social Enterprise Shared space Collective of non-profits in similar field

Our next steps: Education pilot program Increase retail store reach Paid staff in June New cooperative on board! Evaluate and monitor progress

“I think I would tell the young people that the most important thing is to

follow your heart and your dreams as you see them today. They may be different tomorrow, but the most

important thing is to do whatever you do with a love and with a passion.”

An environmentalist and political activist, Wangari Maathai in 2004 became the first African woman to receive the Nobel Peace Prize.