Planting Trees with Schoolchildren – Social Responsibility in Microfinance

Social Responsibility: The principle that companies should contribute to the welfare of society and not be solely devoted to maximizing profits

(source: dictionary.reference.com)

EDESA requires every ECC it serves to have a Social Responsibility Program. This means that the organization must be making efforts to achieve social, environmental, and financial sustainability.

Last Friday Luiz Jimenez (EDESA executive director), Gerardo Barillas (FINCA coordinator) and I visited ECC Vivero Datraban in Upala, Costa Rica. The purpose of the visit was to participate in one of the ECC’s social responsibility efforts – a reforestation and education/awareness campaign. They were great hosts – check out the video below for a recap of the day.

*Update: additional video fresh from editing. An interview with Vivero Datraban’s Vice President Vicky in which she discusses the ECC’s social responsibility efforts and the importance of microcredit to her community. Enjoy.

Until next time – lovers, fighters, financiers, and planeteers – keep on keeping on. And while you’re at it, take care of your triple bottom line by making a loan at Kiva.org.

Peace, Love, and Platanos.

John Murphy is a Kiva Fellow Serving at EDESA in Costa Rica. In his spare time there he enjoys playing pool and foosball, practicing his Salsa, and expanding his international social network.