The fact that they were at risk of poverty didn’t stop Julio and Kevier from starting their own business to help the planet.
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October 30, 2020 3 min read
This article has been translated from our Spanish edition using AI technologies. Errors can occur due to this process.
The opinions expressed by the entrepreneur’s contributors are their own.
- Despite the risk of poverty, with the help of the Friends of Puerto Rico Foundation, the small business owners were able to set up their own company, which they named New World.
Julio and Kevier, two Puerto Ricans only 10 and 11 years old, make accessories and household products with their own hands from recyclable materials found on the streets or given by family and friends.
Despite the risk of poverty, with the help of the Friends of Puerto Rico Foundation, the small business owners were able to set up their own business, called the New World (New World), in which they seek sustainable ways of developing their craft to join in global pollution reduction.
“We want to save the world with our products,” they commented in Spanish during an interview for Entrepreneur. In addition, they pointed out that their company’s name stems from an interest in making positive change to enable the planet to start over.
Lamps, necklaces and earrings are products that emerged from the creativity of Julio and Kevier. They comment that only cans, lids and threads are used to make it.
Image: New world via Facebook.
Currently the handicrafts are only sold to family and friends, but both hope that their inventions will be acquired worldwide in the future.
A program to encourage entrepreneurship among children in low-income areas
Most American children living in poverty live in Puerto Rico, 56% of them on low incomes. Through the nonprofit Friends of Puerto Rico, the SEEDS program aims to develop children like Julio and Kevier to become leaders and social entrepreneurs, with the goal of making their generation the first not to live in poverty.
“These children have experienced poverty, earthquakes, tsunamis and hurricanes. You deserve the opportunity to be heard, ”said Marie Rodríguez, SEEDS coordinator.
The purpose of SEEDS is to develop entrepreneurial skills in students aged 9-12 in order to acquire skills that may benefit their future careers as well as their commitment to society.
Since its implementation in 2019, the program has managed to create 25 businesses to date along with 100 students from various public schools who, like Julio and Kevier, are committed to creating positive social change through their businesses’ vision.
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