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READ Gives a Hand-Up, Not a Hand-Out
Every READ Center has a viable for-profit component. Each potential READ project starts with the community presenting a solid business plan for creating a partner business enterprise that will provide revenue to support the READ Center operations. This revenue ensures the long-term financial sustainability of the project.
Enterprise Benefits
These enterprises not only create income for the READ Center, they also provide jobs and add to the overall village economy. Often, the enterprises generate income beyond what’s needed to support the Center’s operations, so excess funds are channeled back into more services for the community like health clinics, day care centers, and infrastructure projects.
READ Enterprises Are Smart
They meet community needs while capitalizing on local talent, geography, and natural resources. Some examples:
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Centrally located: Since READ Centers are often in village centers, many generate rental income from storefront shops and meeting halls within the READ Center building.
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Urgent need: Several remote villages started ambulance services to provide lifesaving transportation to distant hospitals.
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Environment: One village in a densely wooded area started a successful furniture factory that supplies homes, businesses, and schools throughout the area and beyond.
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Tourism: Another remote community on the Tibet border, and a 5 day trek for hikers, built solar-powered hot water showers for trekkers who pay to use them.
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Missing services: Other enterprises supply a wide range of missing goods and services such as catering and equipment rental for weddings and festivals, stocked fishing ponds, grain mills, telephone service, and rickshaw transport. |
Ambulance Service
Fish Pond
Furniture Factory
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