power in the world challenge

Last year, a Philippine organization Juboken enterprises won the World Challenge 2005 for its Coconets projects. Others may remember receiving the email for people to go to the BBC & Shell project to vote for the coconet.

Coincidentally enough, early this year, one of my documentary projects with director (slash-friend and eternal mamu) El featured the coconet project. Basically, the cocohusk fiber was processed to make nets that could be laid on hilly slopes. This prevented topsoil erosion and served as an area to grow vegetation. And of course, the eco-friendly business gave employment to the people of the community.

This year, World Challenge is at it again, featuring 12 finalists from all over the world. Right now, my personal favorite is the card-making organization that employs orphans who held their own little households in Rwanda. All these orphanz have lost their parents from the 1994 genocide, malaria or AIDS.

Most of the 12 finalists are grassroot projects that are innovative and resource-generating. "People with principles, while making a profit," was how they said it.

Despite the fact that Shell probably has a lot of socio-economic crimes against the world, I'm glad for contests like this which give honor to micro-endeavors that help in changing the world.

For those who want to exercise their voting power in World Challenge, please do so by clicking here.