Commitment to Sustainability
MagéLanka is a fan of sustainability! The U.S. EPA defines sustainability as, “meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.”
Sustainability has become a catchphrase for a lot of for-profit and non-profit organizations lately. Some of this is a marketing tactic, some of it is an effort at real, lasting investment in an individiual, community and/or country.
For MagéLanka, our efforts at fostering sustainable development means that we want our projects to bring lasting return to the families we partner with - beyond the original donation - while minimizing effects on the environment.
Koshika Project
MagéLanka's commitment to sustainability is evident in our efforts to build Koshika a new house. When she and her family lost their house to the tsunami in 2004, they suffered a deep psychological hardship. They moved into conditions that were unliveable and had been unable to recover. A house will give her family a place to grow and advance themselves - socially, economically and emotionally.
During construction, we've used as many recycled and reused materials as possible. Sri Lankans, like many people from "under-developed" countries, have a natural commitment to reusing and recycling goods - things are rarely taken for granted or wasted. Many of the bricks used in building houses in Sri Lanka are made by hand and of mostly natural ingredients, resulting in a low carbon footprint. We received donations of re-used windows and other materials to help in building the house as well.
Chandani Project
Chandani's broom business is a perfect example of creating sustainable change for a family and community. MagéLanka provided Chandani with the proper equipment (none of which consumes any form of energy - besides human energy) and from there Chandani and her family, true entrepreneurs, did the rest themselves!
As they earn revenue from the broom-making business they've started, they add to their savings, make improvements on their home, and continue to feed money back into their community as they purchase materials for their brooms and hire one or two other women to help with the broom selling.
Future Projects
MagéLanka is planning a series of other projects with three or four women who are interested in starting their own businesses. More details to come!