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Philanthropy is a core value of The Peace Company synonymous with Peace. Philanthropy, at it's root, means "the love of humanity" -- love in the sense of caring for, nourishing, developing, or enhancing; and humanity in the sense of human beings and human potential. When we put our values into concrete action caring for our community we are living the values of true philanthropy.
 In the realm of triple-bottom-line metrics, People, Planet and Profit (which we refer to as Prosperity) means expanding the traditional business framework to consider three dimensions of performance: social, environmental and financial. The Peace Company adheres to Triple Bottom Line principles, and adds a fourth element, Peace -- which in our context encompasses purpose, principles, philanthropy, and peaceful interactions and relations -- which guides our mission and work.
Sustainable Peace is possible only when we create a world that values everyone equally, and supports those in our society who are marginalized or disadvantaged. The first three dimensions, or pillars, consider the visible stakeholders in our enterprise and world. The fourth pillar stands for those who have been "invisibled" or left behind. Through Philanthropy we express our "love for humanity" and our commitment to a culture of peace.
What kind of programs and initiatives does The Peace Company support?
The Peace Company supports, and is directly engaged in, a wide range of programs and initiatives which include (but are not limited to) education and training for girls and youth; economic empowerment and leadership development for women; character education and anti-bullying programs; conflict-resolution, restorative justice and peacebuilding initiatives; interfaith and community-based dialogue initiatives; technology, multi-media and documentary film.
Why an emphasis on investing in Women and Girls?
In 2010, a report from MediaPlanet entitled “Investing in Women & Girls: Dedicating Resources to a Single Woman Has a Ripple Effect on her Entire Community” featured expert editorials – from everyone from Oprah Winfrey to Melinda Gates to Corinne Woods, the director of the U.N. Millennium Campaign – with testimonials as to why it is essential to be investing in women and girls on a global scale.
In addition to the editorials and interviews, the report outlines five key steps to change the world by empowering women and girls:
- Provide Quality Healthcare
- Access to Financial Resources
- Raise Awareness
- Encourage Gender Equality
- Educate Girls
Here are just a few quotes and highlights from the report.
Corinne Woods, director of the U.N. Millennium Campaign:
- “The Millenium Development Goals have the power to bring about tangible change in the lives of women and girls.”
- “Make sure your elected representatives know that you support the administration’s new MDG strategy and efforts to prioritize the Millennium Development Goals. Advocate for the Goals in the media and educate your friends and neighbors.”
- Go to endpoverty2015.org and standagainstpoverty.org to learn how you can do more
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Opportunity Kenya client Millicent Wahiga easily uses her cell phone to access banking services and repay her loans.
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Melinda French Gates on the Gates Foundation’s commitment to women’s philanthropy:
- “We’re seeing tremendous momentum around the idea that investments in women save lives and help their families, communities and nations to thrive.”
- “Technology has already had a huge impact on women’s lives [in the developing world].”
- “In Kenya, more than nine million people are using cell phones to transfer money [and manage their finances]. This means that women who previously may not have had access to a banking system can now send money to their children’s schools or other family members, or set up and access a savings account. This is revolutionary.”
Oprah Winfrey, Founder of the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls, South Africa:
- “When you educate a girl… you start to affect her family, her community, her nation. When you educate a girl, that girl becomes a woman who understands the value of an education and educates her children.”
- “[At the academy,] we support the development of a new generation of women leaders who, by virtue of their education and service, will lead the charge to transform themselves, their communities, and the larger world around them. [...We will] help raise the next generation of transformative South African leaders.”
(These are just a few of the people, organizations and topics highlighted in “Investing in Women & Girls” Click here to read more.)
"The ability of women to control their own fertility is absolutely fundamental to women’s empowerment and equality. When a woman can plan her family, she can plan the rest of her life. When she is healthy, she can be more productive. And when her reproductive rights—including the right to plan her family in terms of birth timing and spacing, and to make decisions regarding reproduction free of discrimination, coercion and violence—are promoted and protected, she has freedom to participate more fully and equally in society." UNFPA
 In sub-Saharan Africa, 24 million girls can't afford to go to school. A girl may marry as young as 13 and has a one in 22 chance of dying in childbirth. One in six of her children will die before the age of five.
Research shows if you educate a girl she’ll:
- Earn up to 25 percent more and reinvest 90 percent in her family.
- Be three times less likely to become HIV-positive.
- Have fewer, healthier children who are 40 percent more likely to live past the age of five.
The Peace Company believes every child has the right to an education. We support community-based, holistic approachs to bring about change in Africa. The girls we support are selected by their community as being the most in need. Most programs don’t just provide her with books or school fees, but also support her throughout her development, from her elementary school years until adulthood. Job and entrepreneurship training are part of the longer term vision and mission.
(NOTE: The Peace Company is currently re-designing our website, as well as reviewing our partnership programs and commitments for 2012 and beyond. Please check back soon for updates, or contact Kimberly King directly for additional information. Following are a few examples of the organizations and projects TPC is supporting.)
The Hunger Project Women's Microfinance Program http://www.thp.org/
The Hunger Project Microfinance Programs provide small-scale financial services to low-income individuals. Loans are designed to foster sustainable economic empowerment and capacity building for people in developing regions. While we believe in the importance of microfinance, we believe it is even more important to holistically support loan-holders throughout the lending process. Community members have access to savings options and business and financial trainings at their local epicenter in addition to a range of other workshops on food-security, agricultural practices, health and hygiene.
http://www.thp.org/blog/importance_microfinance_africa_development
 World Education.org http://www.worlded.org/WEIInternet/features/asgp.cfm
Founded in 1951 to meet the needs of the educationally disadvantaged, World Education provides training and technical assistance in nonformal education across a wide array of sectors. World Education contributes to individual growth, strengthens the capacity of local partner institutions, catalyzes community and national development.
 The Cambodian Women’s Empowerment Group Program
The Cambodian Women’s Empowerment Group Program empowers poor Cambodian women through village-based savings groups - Women's Empowerment Groups - and non-formal literacy education by helping them to achieve literacy, produce income and evolve as social leaders. The program objectives and materials of the program are built on a series of three detailed research projects that examined national adult literacy programs, microfinance in Cambodia, and the origins and vulnerability factors of trafficked women in Cambodia. The target beneficiaries are residents of 5 districts in 3 provinces that were identified as highly susceptible to trafficking.
(Note: This project was originally supported by the State Department. when funded was cancelled The Peace Company stepped in to continue the program.)
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