Local Focus

While participating in the Social Entrepreneurship option, I have been able to explore my interests and see where I can become involved in our community. Something I have always been passionate about is travelling locally and globally, and learning new things about people from different walks of life. Over the summer I was lucky enough to travel to Cambodia and participate in a local volunteer placement that focused on social accountability. While being there I was also able to travel the country, and see the different types of local tours that are offered. Something I noticed was the involvement of local businesses and my desire to get to know the more personal side of the country. As I am still developing my idea, I would like to bring this passion I had to get to know the local actors back to Kitchener/Waterloo. My hope is to create an easy way for locals and visitors to get to know more about their city. As well, I would like to create a tool to ensure that local/small practices are sustainable and ethical as well. With more and more students and other demographics joining the Waterloo/Kitchener community, I believe there is a great opportunity for local businesses and other parts of the community to become well known. As well, by ensuring their sustainable and ethical, it will provide longer opportunities and knowledge to those who would like to be more involved in the community. I am continuing to develop this venture, but I am excited to see how it will become incorporated in the Waterloo/Kitchener community. As I hope my venture in the long run will be beneficial for small, local businesses, as well as educational for the public.

Photograph: A stop on a local bike tour of Battambang, Cambodia. Locals making traditional food from their homes for the market.

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