More Filipinos become social entrepreneurs in UAE

DUBAI – More Filipino expatriates in the UAE are becoming social entrepreneurs, thanks to a new program that teaches them business skills. Cecilia Evangelista, a nanny who has worked in Dubai for more than eight years, is one of 98 Filipinos in the emirate who recently graduated in the Leadership and Social Entrepreneurship (LSE) program of the Ateneo School of Government (ASoG). Evangelista said she is planning on going back to the Philippines in April next year to help run a family-owned business. She wants to support the dressmaking business of her mother using what she learned from the program. She is also keen on starting her own business. “I am confident that the business I will start is something I am passionate about,” she added. The LSE program was developed to provide Filipinos in more than 14 cities worldwide with training in leadership, education in financial management and development of entrepreneurial skills focused on a social cause. More than 1,000 people have taken up the program since 2008. Arminda Armirol, an administrative manager, launched Petshionista, a brand for fashionable pet wear. Armirol works with two other partners in running the business, which they do full time on Fridays. “We stepped out of our comfort zone and dared to risk. In life, you have to take risks to get ahead. The biggest risk will be the one you don’t take,” he said.

Arminda Armirol (second from right) with other graduates of the LSE program.

Innovation fund Promising entrepreneurial concepts developed during the LSE program were also given funding. Pack Me, Enerhiya Solutions and Technical Services will receive a start-up fund of Dh4,000, with a business license extension for one year by Dagaz HR Consultancy. They will also receive assistance from BPO Consulting in managing their financial documentation. Pack Me is an app-based courier service concept that would rely on the social network community. The group behind this concept is composed of four members—the youngest at 27 years old and the oldest at 30. Enerhiya Solutions and Technical Services’ concept is to finance, develop and implement projects and solutions aimed at enhancing client’s energy efficiency and reduced energy-related expenditures providing both economic and environmental benefits. To know more about LSE or how to enroll, visit www.ateneo-lsedubai.com.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