How One Person Can Make a Global Impact

Written by Ann Wang, CEO of Enrou

Creating a better world is no small feat. But intentional choices in your everyday can be tools for change that lead to big global successes. We believe strongly that everyone has the power to make positive global impact. Ann Wang, co-founder of Enrou, explores the power of your everyday actions below.

From global poverty, to child malnutrition, to global warming, to sex-trafficking, there are some massive global issues that face our generation. This on-going list of impossible challenges can be overwhelming and intimidating, so how do we even start to dream up possible solutions? Is it always about quitting your job, leaving your family and buying a one way ticket to Africa?

For a long time, I have felt an overwhelming sense of helplessness when it came to tackling global issues I wanted to see change. Growing up, I desperately wanted my voice to matter and my actions to have impact, but I had no money to donate, no armies to command, and a very small audience. But no matter how much fundraising or volunteering I did, I still felt like I was barely making a dent in any of these issues.

And I know I am not the only one: Our generation is thirsty for ways to make impact, and to create meaning and purpose in their everyday. As a result, we created Enrou to empower our generation to make a global impact in our everyday lives doing something we all know well — shopping! We believe that tackling the toughest challenges starts with the power of you, in your everyday to make impactful decisions.

At Enrou, we are tackling extreme global poverty by providing opportunity and the ability to earn a livelihood to every single person. Through the power of your purchase, you can radically change the future for so many individuals around the world.

As it stands today, Enrou is a place to discover over 30 brands that make it their mission to impact the lives of their communities positively, and do so in innovative, progressive, and exciting ways. We love our community more than anything. And so we asked some of them — those who’ve been in the trenches from Ghana to Cambodia to Malawi — how we all can make a global impact everyday! Here’s what they said:

What are different ways you believe people can help make a global impact without actually leaving their hometown?

“Be curious about what you buy — ask the questions. When you see something you like, treat it like an exciting new acquaintance. First impression matters, but you want to know more before you decide if you want to commit!” — Paola, Mayamiko

“Know that you vote with your dollars! Being conscious of how your products are sourced and produced is key- keep the environment, supply chain, and company ethics in mind when shopping.” — Emily, True Moringa

“People can help make a global impact without leaving their hometown by being a conscious consumer! Take notice of the products you are purchasing, the clothes you are wearing, and the food you are eating. It’s never been so easy to get informed about what products and services are putting people above profits. Show companies that you care about the people behind the products, clothing, and food with your purchasing power!” — Lindsay, ABAN

Why does your company exist?

“Our company exists because we possess a heart for the poor and an unshakable desire to provide sustainability to vulnerable women in need. Through our experience we’ve come to understand that as women, we’re all the same — we desire to be captivating and we desire to love deeply. The women we employ dress their kids for school, they sew buttons on their school uniform when they fall off, they cook their husbands dinner… they’re just missing a floor, walls, oftentimes a roof, and our whole heart believes they deserve that and more than we can even dream of today. They deserve to live their lives in safety, self-sustaining as to never rely on the corruption surrounding them along one of the most trafficked borders on the globe.” — Kristie, Landmine Design

“We exist to create fashion that makes our customers look beautiful and feel beautiful, because they can be safe in the knowledge that the people who made their clothes were treated with the care and respect they deserve. And each garment has a story customers will be proud to tell. And we exist to support skills in the community that will allow people to be employed fairly and earn a good wage — lifting themselves out of poverty.” — Paola, Mayamiko

“My company exists to support artisans in Cambodia post the 1970s genocide that destroyed 90% of the creative community, and donate 10% of profits back to the fight against human trafficking. We also offer an opportunity for people to make an impact, and form a tactile connection from East to West.” — Jessica, The Brave Collection

How does your company work with people on the ground to make an impact in the local community?

“Our company has implemented a formal educational program providing weekly teachings in the areas of financial management, health & hygiene, and English. Women of our program have been provided access to and training on the use of bio-sand water filters, altering the very state of their and their families well-being (miracle!) and the larger non-profit in which Landmine Design stems from, LightBridge International, has built a school, a medical clinic, and implemented a sponsorship program for all the children and a feeding program within the school.” — Kristie, Landmine Design

“Our artisans are paid above average wages, and receive benefits like health insurance and stipends for their kids to go to school. We collaborate with our team in Cambodia to create each design, challenging the artisans to think outside the box of the classic souvenirs that are most prevalent in Cambodia.” — Jessica, The Brave Collection

“We’ve planted over 144,000 moringa trees to help combat deforestation, trained hundreds of farming families, and support over 700 smallholder farmers in every region of Ghana with sustainable incomes, good agricultural practices training, and nutrition education.” — Emily, True Moringa

How does Enrou help your company to make an impact?

“Enrou helps ABAN make an impact by opening us up to a wider audience! Enrou cultivates a collection of products from like-minded organizations, all working to make the world a better place. We are honored to be part.” — Lindsay, ABAN

“Without our partners helping to spread the word, we are such a small voice. When we are able to collaborate with others stateside like Enrou, we have the opportunity to grow from a powerful idea, to a sustainable solution.” — Jessica, The Brave Collection

“Awareness! This story is near and dear to our heart and so of course, we simply desire to share it. Enrou not only propels the story of Landmine Design, every step of the partnership is one of intention and open ears to truly listen to the global change and impact occurring. When people share our heart, it feels electric and exciting and foundational for further change — Enrou feels this way.” — Kristie, Landmine Designs

What can be the overall effect on a world where everyone is cognizant of their personal global impact?

“The possibilities are limitless! When we remember that every decision we make has a global impact, we can change the world.” — Lindsay, ABAN

“If everyone truly took ownership of the impact of their dollars and held companies accountable for their sourcing and labor practices, we would see a much more equitable world and trade system.” — Emily, True Moringa

“A better, perhaps slower, more equitable, more aware, more curious world.” — Paola, Mayamiko

MORE TOOLS FOR YOU

• Enrou, in case you’re new to our community — we’re a marketplace that provides opportunity to our creators with every purchase you make.
• LSTN, a “for-purpose” company that connects individuals, families and communities through sound. For every pair of headphones sold, LSTN helps restore hearing to a person in need through Starkey Hearing Foundation
• Charity:Water, a non-profit organization that builds freshwater wells, rainwater catchments and sand filters to provide clean water for those in need around the world.
• International Justice Mission, a global organization that protects the poor from violence in the developing world.
• Warby Parker, an eyewear company where for every pair of glasses sold, a pair is distributed to someone in need.

*Name has been changed to protect the privacy of this individual.