Causes in effect
I’ve always liked The Body Shop, mainly because its founder Dame Anita Roddick was one of the first beauty purveyors who offered vegetarian-friendly products: no animal slaughter by-products and no products tested on cowering bunnies or helpless mice. They also have select ranges for vegans, meaning the non-use of animal derivatives such as beeswax and honey from bees and lanolin from sheep. Their use of Community Trade ingredients, such as shea butter from Ghana and olive oil from Italy, on a majority of their products also speak of a company ethic that respects human rights and provides sustainable livelihood to disadvantaged communities around the world. Yes, I’ve always liked The Body Shop.
My admiration for the brand, however, grew when I attended an intimate gathering by the Body Shop Foundation, the brand’s corporate social responsibility arm that awards financial grants and recognizes the efforts of non-profit, non-government organizations that strive to do their part for the community and the environment. For 2008, The Body Shop Foundation Asia Pacific Grants Programme awarded financial grants to two Filipino social enterprises, Rags 2 Riches and Earth Day Network. Says Bill Spence, The Body Shop Asia Pacific regional retail manager, “These two organizations are recognized for their work in alleviating poverty and promoting environmental sustainability.” The two organizations were awarded GBD10,000 (about P863,000) and GBD5,000, respectively. For these two non-profit programmes, such generous funding will go more than just a long way.
Created by Brother Xavier "Javy" Alpasa, S.J, Rags II Riches (RIIR) is an organization that began in the shanty town of Payatas in 2007 with dreams of transforming scrap cloth into fashionable items. With the support of fashion designer Rajo Laurel, a simple rug-weaving activity has been transformed into a profitable bag-making enterprise. Through the RIIR program, about 200 women in the Payatas community have received additional training and have learned all about ethical profit sharing. “These women get commission and take part of the profit and, in turn, get to own part of Rags 2 Riches,” explains Brother Javy. As an added benefit, the use of scrap cloths as the primary raw material has so far saved landfills from 21 tons of reusable wastes.
RIIR’s woven accessories are now sold in Firma and House of Laurel. Pretty soon, however, Brother Javy discloses, RIIR products will be sold in more eco-friendly stores. The organization is also in discussion with other noted designers such as local bag purveyor Amina Aranaz.
With all the billboards that go up along Manila’s sky-spaces, you’d wonder what happens to these massive projections as soon as they come down. Enter Earth Day Network, an organization that has conveniently and creatively founded the Tarp Bag Training Project, a waste management program that recycles and fashions old billboards and other used tarpaulins into stylish functional bags perfect for every discerning urbanite. This operation serves as a recycling facility for post-marketing waste and has become an effective tool in raising environmental awareness among its customers and members. The program also benefits the women community members of Santa Cruz, Antipolo by giving them a secure and sustainable sewing livelihood.
Since its inception in 1990, The Body Shop Foundation selects beneficiaries from a list of nominees submitted by the different The Body Shop markets worldwide. Last year, two of its awardees have also been Philippine-based organizations, the Philippine Christian Foundation and Unang Hakbang Foundation.
To apply or learn more about The Body Shop Foundation grants programme, please e-mail the Ms. Richelle Vibal at rvvibal@the-body-shop.com.ph.
