#GiveHope1000

THE STORY || We are creating 1000 small businesses for individuals with disabilities in developing countries. Using Entrepreneurship To Change The Lives of People With Disabilities.

Our non-profit is called EquallyAble and we are the global voice for people with disabilities globally. Our initiative is called #GiveHope1000. We are creating 1000 small businesses for individuals with disabilities in developing countries. Businesses include tea stalls, book stores, copy centers sewing machines, juice stalls etc., in the range of $500 per person tailored to their skill sets and abilities.

It wasn’t very long ago we set a goal to raise $500,000 for an initiative that could make change for generations to come.  With the assistance of tireless volunteers, we have raised $350,000 through donations and grants. Now we turn to our community through crowd-funding efforts for the home stretch. The goal of the first phase of this crowdfunding effort is $15,000! Can we count on your to help us bring these businesses to life?

Meet Amin - Living in a small village was no fun; added to this plight was his disabilities which had rendered him unemployed and poor. EquallyAble Foundation partnered with Consumer Protection Counsel (CPC) in India and launched its Solar Innovation project six months ago. The sewing machines were distributed to fifteen beneficiaries and draws power from the solar panels installed on roof tops. On average, the beneficiaries were getting Indian Rupees 4000 (USD 95) to 8000 (USD 190) a month, which is roughly Indian Rupees 150 (USD 3.5) to 300 (USD 7.1) a day. The only cost to the beneficiaries is that of the thread, which means that what they earn is their profit.

THE IMPACT || Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day; teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime.

We want to support local, grassroots efforts that empower individuals with disabilities. These efforts will not only improve their standard of living, but will also enhance their social inclusion and integration to restore honor and dignity for the disabled around the world. 

• There are over 1 billion individuals with disabilities around the world. In developing countries, 80% to 90% of persons with disabilities of working age are unemployed. 

• In the US alone, according to a U.S. Census study, 54.4 million Americans, about 1 in 5 U.S. residents has a disability of some extent. This demographic is equal to the population of Florida and California combined.

• Individuals with a disability are more likely to be self-employed — a little more than 11% versus 6.5% of individuals with no disability work in their own business, trade or farm.
  

THE PROJECT || Unemployment among individuals with disabilities continues to be a major cause of concern. 

Each small business will cost $500. Businesses include: tea and vegetable stalls, book stores, copy centers, juice stalls, and sewing machines. GiveHope1000 will help individuals with disabilities find viable businesses that meet three criteria. We believe if we set each business up with these three criteria, they will be set for a long successful career.

• Simple to operate
• Match skillset
• Meets the needs of the local market demand in which they will be operating

Where will the #GiveHope1000 be offered?

Because we are a global initiative, businesses will be offered in a number of developing countries. EquallyAble is working with partner organizations to assess the need and resources available. We want to be where we are needed most. Currently, EquallyAble reaches across the globe to other countries to build a greater future for those with disabilities with programs in India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Uganda, etc. 

THE REWARD || Starting a business can be a great opportunity for many with disabilities. In addition to meeting career aspirations and goals, owning your own business provides work flexibility and financial stability.

• Independence and flexibility - Oftentimes, people with disabilities feel trapped by their disabilities.  Having their own business will give them a new sense of freedom. 

• Personal fulfillment -  An individual who owns and runs his/her own business can be more satisfied than working for someone else, even more so for a person with a disability who workforce does not cater to his or her needs. Many successful small business owners find they enjoy the respect they earn from their peers for having the courage to go out on their own.

• Financial Stability - When the job market is difficult for individuals with disabilities, they are forced to decide between earning a lower pay or go with no pay at all. Having their own business will help them establish more financial stability.

EquallyAble is run exclusively on volunteer time; all applications undergo verification before any help is provided. Betterment of people with disabilities is rooted deep in the board of trustees and the key volunteers of EquallyAble because they are either living with a disability, have a family member with a disability or are passionate about disability development. 

• Educate someone else about the unemployment issue amongst individuals with disabilities -- If you're in a position to educate someone else how to better review their employment situation - do it! 

• Spread the word -- You can contribute by telling your friends and family about this campaign. The success of this campaign is directly correlated with the number of people who view this page. If you can increase that number, you are making a tangible contribution to the mission. Here are a few sample tweets. 

• Share! -- If you love this idea as much as we do, please take a moment to click on our social media buttons (Facebook, Twitter and YouTube at the bottom of the page). Help us spread the word and get things started!