At the recent close-out Ceremony of the Social Enterprise Boost Initiative (SEBI) held at the Terra Nova Hotel in Kingston, Chairman of the JN Foundation Parris Lyew-Ayee encouraged Jamaicans to support the social enterprise sector during the Christmas season by purchasing authentic Jamaican made gifts.

“I encourage everyone to support our social enterprises by ‘buying social’ this Christmas season,” he said. “Without your financial support, these entities cannot grow.”

Lyew-Ayee suggested that in the process of selecting gifts for friends and family, people should consider social enterprises such as JAD Binders, which restores books that can be passed down through generations, and Superior Craft and More, which offers signature furniture pieces.

He also mentioned Bresheh, manufacturers of locally produced bags; Alpha Wear with its trendy clothing line; and Bartley’s All in Wood, among others.

Opal Whyte, project manager of SEBI, echoed his message and explained that social enterprises are defined as businesses directly involved in revenue generating activities to address social or environmental challenges.

“Without the support of consumers and broad-based stakeholders the sector will not thrive,” she said. “SEBI created a Buy Social Trademark which provides authenticity and distinction for practitioners, and the trademark or seal indicates that the product or services are produced by a social enterprise.”

She stated that the trademark gives the social enterprises “a face” and there are several social enterprises across the country. They include Deaf Can! Coffee, 360 Recycle, Alpha Wear, Bartley’s All in Wood, Bresheh, Bunkers Hill Cultural Xperience, Eco-Farms Jamaica, EducaTours JA, JAD Diners, Petals ‘n’ Roots and Superior Craft & More, among others.

http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/business-report/make-it-a-social-xmas_152705

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