Social Enterprise (Dez)

In my previous post, I mentioned about creating a social enterprise for special needs kids.

Today, a special needs child mum alerted us to a Straits Time article which mentioned about a social enterprise doing something similar.

Adrenalin Group of Social Enterprises is an event company that conducts a mix of corporate events, award ceremonies and family day activities. The company employs and trains those who are physically challenged, such as wheelchair users, hearing impaired as well as youths at risk.

Mr Richardo Chua, the co-founder of the company describes the company system where "the team works on a 'buddy' system where someone with special needs is guided by one who doesn't have special needs". They also train all their staffs on sign language, so they can communicate with the hearing impaired.

Adrenalin has recently conducted some high-profile functions, such as Shell's 120th anniversary dinner and dance, as well as 2012 President's Challenge.

The company turnover crossed over one million last year.

Mr Richardo often reminds his staff that, "you should see yourself as a qualified photographer or graphic designer, not a disabled one.
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Reading the success of the company gives me hope that it is definitely possible to make a social enterprise employing special needs/ disabled people successful.

The challenge is finding the right type of work for special needs kids with lower cognitive function.

The special needs mum suggested this "If a social entrepreneur can bring together all simple repetitive steps work (e.g. packing etc), they are very accurate can be employed at low(er) wage cost".

It sounds like a good idea... unfortunately, me and my wife are clueless in business :( With absolutely no experience in doing business, it is definitely not possible to make it successful.

I pray that God will help us to gather a group of people to build up such a social enterprise for special-needs kids.