At its core, Social Entrepreneur Corps is about providing opportunities. It is our goal to offer participants with a high-quality opportunity to learn Spanish, to gain a unique understanding of indigenous culture, and to become skilled at analyzing rural economic development models and practices. Most of all, through training, observation and field work, we endeavor to provide participants with the opportunity to truly “make a difference” and learn “what it takes” to become effective social entrepreneurs so that they can best apply their own skill sets toward "making a difference".


Our programs include the following five "categories" to provide the most comprehensive and fulfilling international internship experience.

Dynamic Discussions: Development Models, Concepts and Best Practices
Language Training and Cultural Exchange
Visits to Local and Int. Development Orgs
Field Work and Consulting
Adventure

 

 

Development models, concepts and best practices

"The Social Entrepreneur Corps models epitomize sustainable development. Following in depth and informative discussions of business models I was immediately immersed into the culture and began collaborating with Guatemalan entrepreneurs.  The program focuses on working with local Guatemalans to discover their specific business needs and wants, while maintaining and honoring a respect and interest in the local culture."

Racheal W., Graduate
Columbia University, June 2007


The following key topics will be covered (amongst others):

  • Country specific development challenges
  • Analysis of current development solutions
  • Survey of development and relief work
  • Outcomes measurement philosophies and tools
  • Needs assessment practices
  • Analysis of micro-finance solutions
  • Keys to effective social entrepreneurship
  • Case studies of select development organizations and programs
  • Feasibility study analysis

Language training and cultural exchange:

"The SEC team approaches development by respectfully providing Guatemalans with the opportunities and support to improve their own communities. As well, it imparts leadership and responsibility to its corps members through real field experience. Having gone on the trip without any prior knowledge of Spanish, within two short weeks I was out talking to hundreds of locals in a rural town convincing them to come in for a free eye exam. The skills and rare insight that you gain as a corps member are invaluable for your life and career, in development or anything else."

Tara M., Student
Barnard College, May 2007


Spanish classes
Classes are designed based on individual student needs/desires so that all participants can be effective in the field as soon as possible. Classes are primarily one on one.


To learn more about our Spanish language program please click here...


Homestay with local families
This is an essential step in helping interns gain an understanding of how local people live and work.  It is an invaluable way to improve onclassroom Spanish.  Most  end up forming great friendships during this process and decide to stay with host families when not required by the program.


To learn more about our Homestay families please click here...

 

Visits to local and international development organizations

“As a native of Haiti, where so many development projects have gone awry, Social Entrepreneur Corps was a breath of fresh air. Social Entrepreneur Corps is an introduction to development done properly without the usual accompanied paternalism. The team is humble- they realize that they too can make mistakes, and of great importance they are not afraid to change tactics or step away when the situation dictates. As well, the language training was phenomenal. The teachers were qualified and customized the lessons to fit my needs. In just one month, I went from barely speaking any Spanish to feeling comfortable enough to "regatear" in the “mercado” and to give a "charla".“

Audrey D., Graduate,
Swarthmore College, Jan 2007


Interns will have the opportunity to visit numerous organizations ranging from artisan groups to microfinance institutions to health care providers. The goal is to learn about and analyze initiatives first hand as well as to provide potential support and intern services.


To learn more about organizations you may visit please click here….

Field work and consulting

“This volunteer program is built in a way that allows a participant to get as much or as little out of it as he or she wants.  As you travel through the country there will be plenty of opportunities to become immersed in both latino and mayan culture, the world of development work, and the lives of locals.  A volunteer that takes advantage of these opportunities will feel they have accomplished more than what they had thought was possible.  A good balance of field work, class time, and free time will keep everyone busy but also won't burn them out.” 

Tristan Korb, Student
University of Connecticut, June 2007


The field work part of the program is the most challenging but also the most rewarding both personally and professionally. Throughout the program each intern will work with Social Entrepreneur Corps team leaders in the field as development professionals focused on.

  1. Needs analysis
  2. Resource and material design
  3. Feasibility studies
  4. Local entrepreneur support
  5. Evaluations

To learn more about the contributions that interns make in the field please click here….

Adventure

"Social Entrepreneur Corps is about the local touch. It creates the opportunity to live, talk, play, and bond with local Guatemalans. From whom better could I have learned about the needs that development serve?"

James M., 2006 Participant,
Student, Columbia University


Don't get us wrong, we hope it is all AN ADVENTURE!!! However, we do realize that we are working in one of the most diverse and naturally beautiful countries in the world...OF COURSE WE TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THAT DURING YOUR STAY!!!


Every week you will be presented with opportunities to get off of the beaten path and to do a bit of adventuring. Several of these activities are optional and will not be included in the price of the program. However, our team will organize all activities using our local network and will assure the lowest price possible (local prices, not tourist prices). Adventure Activities might include...


Climbing one of the country's active volcanoes


Hiking through remote mountain villages


Swimming in some of the country's beautiful lakes

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Social Entrepreneurship Corps testimonial


Social Entrepreneur Corps Testimonial

“The Social Entrepreneur Corps experience provides the rare opportunity to be purposefully submerged into the multi-layered complexity of Guatemala.  Positioned at an intersection where the challenge of international development meets the analytical framework of the business-world, Social Entrepreneur Corps effectively blends a passion for social impact with thoughtful and context-specific business models.  Anyone seeking an adventurous, hands-on experience is sure to benefit from and to make meaningful contributions along the sharp learning curve that the Social Entrepreneur Corps team has established.” 

 

Erik H., 2007 Participant, M.S., University of Illinois

To read more testimonials from past Social Entrepreneur Corps participants, CLICK HERE

 


Social Entrepreneurship in action



CE Solutions Launches New Health & Hygiene Initiative

CE Solutions proudly announces the launch of a pilot health and hygiene awareness initiative with Water for People. Throughout the world, Water for People uses water as a catalyst for change in communities that lack access to drinking water, adequate sanitation and hygiene education. Every 15 seconds a child under the age of five dies needlessly from a water-related illness. Water for People's mission is to help solve this problem and has called on CE Solutions to play an important role in providing health and hygiene education in the rural areas of Guatemala.

Over the past three months CE Solutions has created educational materials (posters and educational games for children) and training methodologies whereby many of the great social entrepreneurs we are currently supporting through the Vision Advisor program (amongst others) will conduct community training seminars for mothers and children to improve their knowledge of proper hygiene habits and thus allow them to practice more healthy habits in the home and at school. Water for People will pay these CE Solutions entrepreneurs commensurately for their efforts. By the end of this initial pilot phase in late February, CE Solutions will have trained a minimum of 15 women who will have provided seminars to a minimum of 400 mothers and children in four different departments of Guatemala.

As you can see, CE Solutions continues to aggressively explore new and creative ways to work with local people to solve local problems. We strive to find low-cost, effective and efficient entrepreneurial models whereby good people can make a good living doing good work that will benefit themselves, their families and members of their community.

 


Social Entrepreneur Corps testimonial

"I started understanding the scope of what could be achieved through development work when I went on my first campaign with ladies selling reading glasses in small rural community. I realized that the majority of the people there had never interacted with an outsider, and it was also my first experience of being in a community like that. We were reaching people who thought they wouldn't be able to see properly again, but we were able to help them through a practical, sustainable project, helping communities to help themselves. I was proud to be part of it."

Conor Thomas Powell
Regional Coordinator - CE Solutions
Team Leader - Social Entrepreneur Corps

To read more testimonials from past Social Entrepreneur Corps participants, CLICK HERE

 

 

 

 
 
Social Entrepreneur Corps is an initiative of New Development Experience LLC, 2007