Think of “Food” and “Asia” and what comes to mind is a rich and diverse mosaic of landscapes and sentiments: on the one hand, we can imagine golden fields of rice tended by tight-knit communities, abundant harvests at year-end festivals, and sprawling, animated markets; however, we also have unsavory images of grain rotting in the heat, poverty-stricken and hungry children, and food riots in urban centers.
Is it possible for the region to develop alternative, sustainable and equitable food systems? What opportunities and possibilities can social entrepreneurship bring to address this complex and critical situation?

“When people buy in Singapore, life is improved in villages in Cambodia,” said Susan Lee, who runs Beyond Imagination’s (BI) retail outlet at the Girls’ Brigade Headquarters in Singapore. Beyond Imagination is the sole distributor for VillageWorks products in Singapore.

Loved by both young and old, male or female, teddy bears are among the most wonderful gifts friends and family can give to each other. And it was bearing that in mind that friends George and Jon set up TeddyThotz ‘n’ OneKind.

Besides the popular hand-stitched bears, the two-year-old social enterprise sells a wide range of products such as handmade mugs, traditional patchwork blankets, bags, pouches and many other products. Most of the products are made by the elderly and people from rural parts of the world – and as much as 90% of the proceeds from the sales of these products goes back to the beneficiaries.

Middleman recyclers like Thomas and Ms Chye form part of a vibrant informal economy that provides a viable source of income for the elderly who otherwise may not find employment. They bridge an important gap and their collection routine form important social nodes for reaching out to at-risk groups of elderly.

A Muslim Mentor for Micro-businesses

The Everyday Entrepreneur
At 4am every morning, Mdm Norliza starts preparing noodles and kueh for sale at her friend’s shop to supplement her household income. By 7am, she leaves home for her full-time job as an administrator in an employment agency.
It is late by the time she heads home.
“I felt that [...]