whole foods market team member …...11 whole foods market® team member volunteers traveled to...
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WHOLE FOODS MARKET®
TEAM MEMBER VOLUNTEER PROGRAM2014 THAILAND SUMMARY & IMPACT REPORT
Whole Planet Foundation® (WPF) funds microlending
programs in Thailand where Alter Eco sources rice
which is sold in Whole Foods Market® (WFM) stores.
WPF is a WFM non-profit whose mission is to alleviate
poverty by funding microlending programs where WFM
sources products as a way to alleviate poverty and
give back to our global communities.
Through the WFM Team Member Volunteer Program,
WFM gives Team Members the unique opportunity to
travel abroad with WPF to learn about WPF and meet
microcredit clients, see where and how WFM products
are grown, provide community service, experience and
learn from other cultures and challenge themselves by
exploring exciting countries around the globe.
WHOLE FOODS MARKET®TEAM MEMBER VOLUNTEER PROGRAM
WFM TEAM MEMBER VOLUNTEER PROGRAM TRAVEL IN THAILAND
Trip 2
Community service with Elephant Nature Park
and sightseeing in Chiang Mai
Arrival, departure and sightseeing
in Bangkok
WPF microlending partner Small Enterprise Development and WFM
supplier partner Alter Eco in Surin
11 Whole Foods Market® Team Member Volunteers traveled to Thailand to volunteer at the Elephant Nature Park. They cared for the elephants by washing, feeding and cleaning up after them.
They traveled to Surin by overnight train where they learned about the production of rice with Alter Eco whose products are sold in Whole Foods Market stores. Team Members visited with microcredit
clients of Small Enterprise Development. The volunteers visited cultural sites in Bangkok and Chiang Mai and learned about Thai cuisine, culture, traditions and dance.
TEAM August 18- September 1, 2014
Buck Buckles (Florida, Biscayne store)
Glenda Flanagan (Global Office)
Rachel Landers (Global Office)
Leslie Alves (Global Office)
Jack Colwell (Northern California, Castro store)
Cheryl Sadlowski (Northeast ,Tribeca store)
Shawna Jacques (Pacific Northwest, Cambie store)
Joshua T. Outwater (Rocky Mountain, Fort Collins store)
Danna Haile (South, Green Hills store)
Gillian Campbell (United Kingdom, Giffnock store)
Julian Ligas (Global Office)
2014 THAILAND SUMMARY
GROUP COORDINATOR
Jeremy Bookman
THAILAND GUIDES
Mr. Weerapang Tananchana (Noi)
Daniel Zoltani
PROJECT COORDINATOR
Elephant Nature Park
WFM TEAM MEMBER
VOLUNTEER PROGRAM
MANAGER
Genie Bolduc
Small Enterprise Development
ITINERARY- 2 WEEKS
Day 1, Monday, August 18 - Arrive Bangkok
Day 2, Tuesday, August 19 - Bangkok tour, overnight train to Surin
Day 3, Wednesday, August 20 - Surin to visit Alter Eco
Day 4, Thursday, August 21 - Surin for visit with WPF microlending partner Small Enterprise Development, overnight in Ubon Ratchatani
Day 5, Friday, August 22 - Fly to Chiang Mai
Day 6, Saturday, August 23 - Chiang Mai sightseeing
Day 7, Sunday, August 24 - Chiang Mai day trek to Chiang Dao
Day 8, Monday, August 25 - Volunteer at Elephant Nature Park
Day 9, Tuesday, August 26 - Volunteer at Elephant Nature Park
Day 10 / Wednesday, August 27 - Volunteer at Elephant Nature Park
Day 11, Thursday, August 28 - Volunteer at Elephant Nature Park
Day 12, Friday, August 29 - Volunteer at Elephant Nature Park
Day 13, Saturday, August 30 - Volunteer at Elephant Nature Park
Day 14, Sunday, August 31 - Return to Chiang Mai and dinner with Tristan Lecomte, co-founder of Alter Eco
Day 15, Monday, September 1 - Chiang Mai depart for home
2014 THAILAND ITINERARY AUGUST 18-SEPTEMBER 1
Small Enterprise Development
THE EXPERIENCEMeeting microcredit clients
Recovering lost luggage Seeing elephants Sightseeing
Planting riceEating delicious Thai foodLearning about rice
Team Members were
treated to some of the best
food, experiencing all kinds
of delicious Thai delicacies.
The fruit was varied and
fresh and was hanging in
the trees. Thai people eat
some of the same foods for
breakfast as lunch and
dinner, including rice or
noodles.
In Bangkok and Chiang Mai,
Team Members went on
sightseeing tours to absorb
Thai culture, visiting Thai
temples such as Wat Po,
the home of The Reclining
Buddha, the oldest Buddhist
Temple and the center of
the Buddhist religion. The
volunteers also visited Wat
Phra Kaew, which houses
the Emerald Buddha. Other
sights seen were Doi Sutep,
Warowat market and Wat
Phra Singh temple.
Team Member volunteers
participated in traditional
ceremonies including the
opening and closing
ceremonies at Elephant
Nature Park pictured here.
Thai massage was readily
available and often enjoyed.
FOOD
CULTURE
LOCAL TRADITION
WHOLE PLANET FOUNDATION MICROCREDIT PARTNER
SMALL ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT
FEMALE CLIENTS
93.25% 95.03%
REPAYMENT RATE
15,983
WPF SUPPORTED CLIENTS AS OF 9/30/2014
History:
In 1988, Small Enterprise Development Project was established to support
the development of a microfinance system in Surin, Thailand and provide
assistance to rural poor women in the creation of village banks within their
communities.
In 1996, the SED Project was transformed into the Small Enterprise
Development Company, Ltd.( SED), a social enterprise to support the
development of a microfinance system in Thailand and to provide
assistance to rural poor women in the creation of village banks within their
communities.
In 2012, SED Company founded the SED Foundation to, among other
things, assist SED the company in the non financial services and trainings
offered.
SED’s vision is to alleviate poverty of low-income and poor families of
Thailand and empower women through a sustainable poverty lending
program. The objectives of the village bank program are: • To alleviate poverty through credit services • To establish village banks that build savings in the community • To build a sustainable program
Whole Planet Foundation Partnership:
WPF entered into its first Program Related Investment (PRD), 0% interest
local currency loan with Small Enterprise Development (SED) in February
of 2009 for $562,500.
In 2013, Small Enterprise Development Foundation (SEDF) was officially
approved for its registration by the Surin Provincial Administration. In June
2014, WPF assigned the previous three promissory notes totaling $562,500
as a donation to SEDF.
In June 2014, Whole Planet Foundation approved an additional $650,001,
PRI, 0% interest, local currency,loan over 3 years to support the expansion
of SEDs main “Village Bank” loan product and expand into the new Burirum
province reaching 3,000 borrowers and leveraging $1.3M in loans.
WPF funds would directly support the expansion of SED at a critical stage
of the projects development. SED is now in a healthy position to expand
village banking services after completing the long sought after strategy of
implementing a partner foundation to assist in village bank development.
SED employs the village banking (VB) model to deliver their microfinance
services.
The VB group is a support group who meet monthly to provide themselves
with three essential services: • Small self-employment loans to start or expand their own
businesses • An incentive to save, and a means of accumulating savings • A community-based system that provides mutual support and
encourages personal empowerment.
Village Banking groups represent grassroots democracy in action;
members elect their own leaders, design their own bylaws, keep the books,
manage the funds, and are responsible for loan supervision, including
enforcing penalties for non-compliance.
The Grameen Method and Village Banking have similarities but differ
primarily on the roles and responsibilities of the center or the village bank.
The committee of the village bank has far greater responsibilities and is
heavily involved in the credit process. The tight control and constant
supervision in the Grameen Method is, in part, transferred to the group
itself.
Microfinance in Thailand:
Although the Bank of Thailand and Thai Finance Ministry have recently
begun to make very positive strides in developing an improved
microfinance sector specifically by 1) increasing the interest rate cap from
18% to 36% and 2) drafting regulations on licensing financial and non-
financial institutions to extend microfinance loans, the industry for now
remains dominated by subsidized government lending initiatives. The
recent changes have encouraged a few large commercial banks to move
downmarket but have yet to attract the wide array of microfinance
institutions providing financial services to the bottom of the pyramid as
observed in other countries in South East Asia. Furthermore, this also
means that there is little ability for organizations like SED to access the
capital markets due to lack of interest on the part of the banks concerning
the industry.
Small Enterprise Development
MICROENTREPRENEURS Team Member volunteers attended a center meeting of Small Enterprise Development
and then walked to four different microcredit client businesses, weaving, silk worm raising
and thread making, frog raising and a small shop where one can buy silk goods.
ELEPHANT NATURE PARK
Information from Elephant Nature Park:
Elephant Nature Park (ENP) was founded by Lek
Chailert, a famed elephant rescuer. It is a unique project
set in Chiang Mai province, Northern Thailand.
Established in the 1990’s, our aim has always been to
provide a sanctuary and rescue centre for elephants. The
park is located some 60km from the city and has
provided a sanctuary for dozens of distressed elephants
from all over Thailand.
Set in a natural valley, bordered by a river and
surrounded by forested mountains the area offers a
timeless glimpse of rural life.
Elephant Nature Park Mission Statement
1. Sanctuary for endangered species: We provide homes
for these animals as well as contributing to their welfare
and development.
2. Rain Forest Restoration: One of the most exciting
developments at the park is our program of tree planting
the surrounding area. The ecological balance of plants
and animals will be encouraged by the re-introduction of
the rain forest. Some 25 acres of the mountainside will be
planted every year for the first 5 years.
3. Cultural Preservation: To maintain, as much as
possible, the cultural integrity of the local community. By
creating employment and purchasing agricultural
products locally we are assisting the villagers in
sustaining their distinct culture. Park managers are
recruited locally to oversee the park’s progress.
4. Visitors Education: To educate visitors, individuals,
study groups, schools and interested parties. Emphasis
on the plight of the endangered local species will be
presented in an entertaining and constructive manner.
5. Future phases will include audio / visual equipment
and other modern educational aids. It is anticipated that
small conferences and workshops will be organized at
the park.
6. Act independently of pressure groups and political
movements that we consider contrary to the well being of
the park and the creatures in its care.
Elephant Nature Park
Team Members learned about
Elephant Nature Park and its mission
from famed elephant rescuer and
activist and the founder of ENP Lek
Chailert, They were assigned duties
and taught how to care for the
elephants.
The volunteers fed and washed the
elephants and cleaned up elephant
excrement, which since they are
vegetarians, was reported to be not
too unpleasant.
The elephants and the surrounding
scenery were a sight to behold. Just
being around the elephants everyday
was a wonder.
LEARN WORK BEAUTY
Team Members performed their community service by helping
the staff of the Elephant Nature Park (ENP) to feed, bathe and
clean up after the elephants in the sanctuary while performing a
variety of other tasks to support the elephants and their habitat.
By being in close proximity to the elephants and through their
own observation, they were able to learn about them. Through
the staff and the activities that they performed with the staff, they
gained an appreciation of the animals and all the work that goes
into protecting and caring for them.
CONSERVATION
ALTER ECOWHOLE FOODS MARKET SUPPLIER PARTNER
A letter from co-founders of Alter Eco, Edouard and
Mathieu:
Dear loyal customers,
Alter Eco is based on the premise that food is
fundamental to life – and whole, healthy, delicious food
can make life better for people all over the world. By
working directly with the small-scale farmers who grow
our quinoa, rice, sugar and cacao, helping them institute
Fair Trade and Organic practices and assisting them in
improving both quality of food and quality of life, we’re
creating a system that benefits everyone involved. Our
values extend to the flora, fauna and fields – we work
with our co-op partners to preserve heirloom grains,
replenish and reforest the land. And as a GHG Protocol 3
Carbon Zero business, we offset more carbon than we
emit.
But the achievement we’re most proud of is the family
we’ve created. Together with our farmers, employees,
investors and customers, we’re taking an adventure
through food, and creating a vision of the future that’s fair,
prosperous, healthy and mouth-watering. Though we
can’t all break bread at the same table, we like to think
that every time we crack open a bag or bar of Alter Eco
here in the states, we’re sharing a lively meal with
Gustavo in Bolivia, Sompoi in Thailand, Grover in
Ecuador – and you.
B the Change,
Edouard Rollet, Co-Founder and COO
Mathieu Senard, Co-Founder and CEO
Alter Eco
ALTER ECO AND THE RICE COOPERATIVE The volunteers visited the cooperative where Alter Eco sources rice in Thailand, learned about the different steps that go into producing the
rice and found out about the varieties of rice that Alter Eco produces.
RICE Team Members learned about the characteristics of the different stages of rice and the process for weighing, measuring humidity and
calculating yield that is used to determine what is paid to the famers for the rice, in the spirit of true transparency.
PLANTING TREES The volunteers planted six trees and had a fantastic lunch featuring Alter Eco rice prepared for them by the cooperative. They learned
about the mill and the warehouse the farmers were able to build with the fair trade premium generated by the sale of their rice.
RICE Team Members met the original farmer who started the organic rice production in the community to stop the illness that came from the
chemicals they had been using on the rice. The volunteers also visited a rice farm learning about proper spacing of the rice in the field to
increase yield.
For additional info on the Rice Fund cooperative visit in Surin, read a blog post from Alter Eco team member, Kara:
http://www.alterecofoods.com/meet-samrat-thongeim/
http://www.alterecofoods.com/thailand-visit-whole-foods-volunteers/
“Meeting elephants would be hard to top. I loved the ENP and had a great
time working there and meeting all of their folks. Incredible work. Overall,
the entire trip was amazing.Thailand is an incredible trip. The food is
incredible, the lodging is top-notch and there is so much to see and do.
Amazing country, awesome people, Fantastic guide!”
JULIAN
“Overall I thought the experience was a
one-of-a-kind, life-changing trip. I
been so close to wildlife where they
are being saved from possible
extinction. The work they are doing
there is so amazing. I would go back
in a heartbeat.”
LINDA
JACK
RACHEL
“I had an absolutely amazing time. Trip of
a lifetime! It was an amazing group of
people and an amazing trip, I am so
grateful that I was able to go on this
journey! Thank you!!!”
“It was absolutely an incredible experience. I loved meeting with the
vendors, meeting the women in the village and volunteering at the
Elephant Nature Park. I was completely in awe that we are involved in
microcredit loans, but the company really encourages team members to
go see it first hand to actually understand where the money is going, how
it's being spent, and truly how it is shaping those communities and
changing them for the better. I don’t think I could have been on this trip
with a better group of people. Alter Eco is one of my favorite parts of the
trip. Checking out the rice paddy fields and meeting with the farmers.
LOVED IT! It was so great to see them first hand, plant some rice, see
the processing facility. BEST! Seriously, I am just happy you guys
thought I would represent the Pacific Northwest Region of WFM well and
humbled I got to go and experience this with such a fine group of people.
It was an experience of a lifetime. I have nothing but incredible things to
say about it!”
SHAWNA
DANNA
“Elephant Nature Park is a GREAT
organization, doing AMAZING work to
help rescue and provide sanctuary to
hundreds of animals. And they provide
employment to more than 350 people
from surrounding villages. Working
and helping to provide sanctuary for
endangered Asian elephants is an
amazing once-in-a-lifetime
opportunity.”
JOSHUA
“My favorite part? It was a toss up
between the Alter Eco day and the
Elephant Nature Park. We were able
to see and learn a lot about the culture
in both of these experiences.”LESLIE
“The Alter Eco day was one of my favorite days. Meeting the farmers,
especially the person that started the organic farming movement there.
The story was so great to hear. Working here, I always get questions
about why to buy organic and I always tell people great for the earth and
you’re not taking in the chemicals but to have a story that the farmers
grow organic so they don't get sick puts such a personal touch on the
reasoning why to buy organic. I have told that story more than any other
story. Our guide Noi was amazing at explaining the culture of Thailand,
the importance of Buddhism and what the Buddhists believe was
beautiful. Really good for my heart and soul. It was also wonderful to
hear the importance of food in Thailand. It was amazing.”
2014 THAILAND WFM TMVP IMPACT
11 TEAM MEMBERS
TRUCKLOAD OF BANANAS
UNLOADED
6 TREES PLANTED
1 FIELD OF RICE PLANTED
8 SED CLIENT BUSINESSES
VISITED
40 MICROCREDIT CLIENTS MET
35 ELEPHANTS FED AND BATHED
COUNTLESS DOGS PETTED, WALKED AND
FED