Social Enterprise

Relapse back into the ‘underground’ is common amongst Mongolian ex-prisoners. Quite literally, they plunge beneath the surface through purpose-built manholes into a labyrinth of heating pipes and tunnels.

Gender stereotypes are systemic within the Cambodian job market.  Female unemployment in the formal sector is widespread as restrictive social norms dictate unequal opportunity.  Men are encouraged to undertake vocational training programs in trades such as mechanics, electronics and IT, whilst women are commonly limited to sewing, cooking and hospitality.

In a country where half of all households are clustered around the poverty line, the needs of the poor are many.  Labour is one of their few assets, but opportunity for employment is often limited by lack of education and cultural barriers.  If provided with the means of attaining a good job, they have the chance to earn their way out of poverty.

Ethnic tension is rampant in Burma.  Skewed spending on defence has stagnated economic growth and development indicators are ubiquitously dubious.  The government refuses basic services to some minorities and the military targets them in ruthless bouts of conflict.  An epidemic of statelessness has emerged whereby many Burmese are internally displaced or have taken refuge in neighbouring countries.

In one of India's most impoverished rural regions, illiteracy is generational as each child gets caught in the same web of disadvantage as their parents and grandparents.  Teacher absenteeism is high, and student enrolment is low because buildings are dilapidated and roads leading to and from schools are scarcely maintained.