co-operation with Oxfam Novib
SAP Holland has joined the “Entrepreneurs for Entrepreneurs” network. This Oxfam Novib initiative for small and medium-sized businesses supports dynamic men and women in poor countries as they develop a way of supporting themselves economically. Besides offering our customers the smartest way to find and buy garden plants, we are socially involved and we are looking forward to a better world. That is why we chose to be a business ambassador to support Oxfam Novib’s work.
800 Million people are still living in extreme poverty. Oxfam, one of the most influential development organizations, is finding practical and innovative ways to change this by working with local partner organizations and people on the ground. Unfair conditions and a lack of support for people to take that first step often stops them taking control of their lives.
As Fons van Wezel, Managing Director at SAP Holland, explains: “Entrepreneurship has the power to overcome poverty in a sustainable way. Oxfam Novib focuses on people living in poverty in developing countries. Lending from a bank is often not possible for poor people. The Oxfam Novib Microfinance Program gives small scale entrepreneurs access to financial services and entrepreneurial training. And this gives them an opportunity to build on their own business and an independent existence without poverty. Thus, people themselves build their future and that of their country. With the money they earn they can feed their families, send their children to school and pay for medicines and medical care. They can reinvest any surplus in their business and create new jobs, thus giving other people the chance of a better future. As a member of “Entrepreneurs for Entrepreneurs”, we support this in order to contribute to a fairer and better world.
We consider it important to provide not only good products and services, but also contribute to a world without poverty. Thanks to our support, people in developing countries get the same chance as we have had. Oxfam Novib helps us to extend our ambassadorship and our social involvement.”
Farah Karimi, Chief Executive Officer Oxfam Novib: “Oxfam Novib likes to work with businesses for a world without poverty and equal opportunities for all. We do this for example by giving access to microcredit to disadvantaged people. With all that Oxfam Novib does, we depend on the power of the people themselves. Being able to take care of yourself is essential for building an independent existence. And it also contributes to the sustainable economic development of a country. ”