Sheroes Hangout

Sheroes Hangout

September 12, 2024 Selene Orellana Partners

Sheroes Hangout

Agra, Uttar Pradesh, India

Impact

Founded in 2014 by the Chhanv Foundation, Sheroes’ Hangout is a café that offers acid attack survivors both livelihoods and support. It challenges stigmas and helps women from disadvantaged backgrounds find opportunities for personal growth and recovery. Beyond reshaping societal perceptions, Sheroes aids survivors in their medical recovery and pursuit of justice.

By providing dignified employment at the café, Sheroes empowers women to support their families, raise their children, and live with respect and self-esteem, just like any other member of society.

15
community members directly benefitting

Critical Need

Acid attacks are brutal crimes aimed at disfiguring rather than killing, using acids that cause severe burns, scarring, and trauma, mostly affecting women. The Chhanv Foundation raises awareness of these attacks and supports survivors, working to bring lasting change. Its main project, Sheroes Hangout Café, provides both financial support and helps survivors regain confidence, earning them trust within their families.

Our Involvement

Planeterra supports Sheroes Hangout by providing market connections to help them establish a sustainable funding source through hosting travellers. Additionally, as part of the Planeterra Network, they benefit from learning modules, ongoing training, and mentorship.

Related projects

Pink City Rickshaw
Pink City Rickshaw
Sunder Rang
Anoothi India
Sharing Seeds
Read more
Safi Kitchen_Jordan_Planeterra_P100

Safi Kitchen

August 26, 2022 Selene Orellana Meals, Partners

Safi Kitchen

Southern Ghawr, Jordan

Impact

Safi Kitchen is a non-profit organization that aims to preserve the local culture and natural resources to promote the southern region of the Jordan Valley (Ghawr) as a tourist destination throughout the year. The key beneficiaries of the kitchen are local women and youth who are short of financial opportunities in their communities. They participate in an authentic farm and meal experience to showcase their tradition and culture through food.

By engaging in tourism activities, community members receive a much-needed income from the kitchen. Women can now make their own financial decisions and youth are leading up conservation activities in their communities. 

The community continues to value their environment and more businesses are being led by women. They are also sharing their culture authentically.

19
people employed
114
Community members benefitting
Safi Kitchen_Jordan_Planeterra_P100
.

Critical Need

Al-Safi Kitchen was opened at the end of 2019 in the southern Jordan Valley, hosting visitors to the area and making the region a distinct tourist destination that provides high-quality services that reflect the local cultural heritage.

However, since the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic, Safi Kitchen has struggled to find customers and make the project successful.

Our Involvement

Through a partnership with Safi Kitchen, Planeterra facilitated a market connection to the tourism sector, where travellers enjoy an authentic meal experience and understand the traditional methods of farming in Jordan while seeing the fresh ingredients picked and used in their meals. They also get an opportunity to learn about how this community is using agriculture to preserve their environment.

Safi Kitchen provides a traditional lunch, tea and snacks to travellers. They also have an in-community bike trail for active travellers with a mountainous backdrop. The tour is led by youth from the community who are receiving an income from the tours.

Photos Safi Kitchen_Jordan_P100_Planeterra

Related projects

Tinkuy Community Tourism
Berracas de la 13
Shandia Lodge
Favela Experience
Read more

Oodles of Noodles

November 6, 2020 Planeterra Partners

Oodles of Noodles

Hoi An, Vietnam

Impact

Planeterra connected the Oodles of Noodles class with one of our travel industry partners, G Adventures. This steady base of visitors allows STREETS to ensure they can provide tuition, safe housing, health care and social inclusion to current and future students of STREETS. 

Students enrolled in the STREETS program are taught everything there is to know about working and running a restaurant and graduate with top International Culinary Arts Certificates. Many have gone on to work at large five-star hotels in Da Nang and neighbouring cities. 

32
youth impacted
+250
youth trained to date
Oodles of Noodles

Critical Need

There are an estimated 20,000 children living on the streets across Vietnam. And unfortunately, the divide between the rich and poor, ethnic minority and majority, and the urban and rural populations of Vietnam appear to be growing. This problem is intensified by the lack of strong and effective child protection systems, professional social workers, and adequate programming and services for vulnerable children.

Our Involvement

Planeterra Foundation partnered with STREETS International (an extensive hospitality-training program that works with at-risk youth in Vietnam) to develop an exclusive Oodles of Noodles Tour and to expand their training kitchen. This tour acts as a curriculum module for the youth to practice their English language and presentation skills — two key qualities that are a necessity for success in the hospitality industry. Students lead a noodle-making class with travellers and teach them about the twenty-six different types of noodles available in Hoi An, Vietnam.

Oodles of Noodles

Related projects

Yimsoo Farm, Mae Rim
Ban Ou Community Tourism
D’danau Homestay
Lady Tuk-Tuk Driver
Read more

Wise Greece

October 30, 2020 Planeterra Partners

Wise Greece

Athens, Greece

Impact

Wise Greece is a non-profit social enterprise with a double mission: supporting small farmers and producers of Greek products across the country, and using the profits to purchase food for the homeless, children, and elderly in need. They work with the best Greek producers, to get their products into shops in Greece and abroad, raising awareness and support for the Mediterranean diet and Greek products like food, spices, and natural cosmetics. Profits from the organization are used to provide food supplies to other organizations such as the Solidarity Center of the Municipality of Athens, supporting people in need, and the Emfasis Foundation, feeding individuals experiencing homelessness. Planeterra works to introduce tour companies and travellers to Wise Greece’s stores and products.

100
Food Producers
2,500
Products
Wise Greece Athens, Greece

Critical Need

Homelessness is a significant social issue in Greece, which was exacerbated by the Greek Financial Crisis which started in 2009, during which an estimated 111,000 Greek companies filed for bankruptcy. There is currently no accurate record of how many Athenians are experiencing homelessness, but the official unemployment rate hit almost 28% during the economic crisis that devastated the country over the last few years. Wise Greece is a non-profit organization with a mission to support local Greek farmers and producers, all while purchasing food for those in need.

Our Involvement

Planeterra began partnering with Wise Greece in 2020, introducing products from the organization onto the sailing itineraries of their travel partner G Adventures. Through this partnership, thousands of travellers sailing the Greek Islands will enjoy Wise Greece products such as salt, honey, tea and olive oil. Stocking these small vessels will increase Wise Greece’s revenue and is also a great marketing tool, as their products are sold internationally in destinations like Sweden and the United Kingdom. It also helps travellers to Greece give back to the local community during their visit. 

Related projects

Good Work Foundation
Moshi Mamas
Maasai Clean Cookstoves
Nyamirambo Community Tour
Read more

TWE

September 4, 2020 Planeterra Partners

TWE- Together We Earn

Kerala, India

Impact

TWE is a Women’s Empowerment Programme supporting rural women in finding employment opportunities. TWE started by running small tea shops in Kerala with women from the area. In 2018, they built their training center but were left without funding to develop the programs.

This partnership allows TWE- Together We Earn to train more women than ever and provide tangible skills-training opportunities with a guaranteed customer base. The income generated through this program allows the organization to continue expanding training for various livelihood opportunities for women in Kerala, and empower more women as entrepreneurs. The centre also provides a platform for women to build confidence and become independent members of society.

8
community members directly benefitting
100
community members indirectly benefitting
.

Critical Need

Kerala has made strides on women’s empowerment in terms of education and health indicators, having the highest rates in India, yet women’s participation in the labour force is low and declining. In rural Alleppey agriculture, construction, fish farming and sanitary workers are the main sources of income for families.

Women do not often have the opportunity to gain skills and find employment beyond the work they are doing in the fields. TWE- Together We Earn led by Theruvarom in Kerala was created to directly meet the needs of women in the area.

Our Involvement

Planeterra partnered with TWE-Together We Earn to bring their women’s empowerment program to the next level. An investment allowed the organization to build a kitchen in rural Alleppey that can be used for training women in catering skills, prepping food for their local tea shops, and hosting international travellers. Previously, the program focused their livelihood training on opening local tea shops. With this partnership, they are bringing their passion and expertise into tourism for the first time. Training on hospitality and tourism management was provided by Planeterra to ensure TWE’s success as they pivot into tourism for the first time. They received their first international travellers in January 2020 and the program has generated employment for 10 women.

Guests are given a traditional Keralan experience at the centre, enjoying a beautiful vegetarian meal followed by local folk songs passed down by farmers. Guests also learn more about the programs that TWE runs to empower women in the area.

Planeterra continues to mentor TWE as they explore more income-generating opportunities for women in rural Alleppey.

Related projects

Pink City Rickshaw
Pink City Rickshaw
Sunder Rang
Anoothi India
Sharing Seeds
Read more

Sthree

September 4, 2020 Planeterra Partners

Sthree Craft Shop and Café

Kandy, Sri Lanka

Impact

Sthree Craft Shop and Café provides a platform for women to gain financial stability. This partnership increased cash flow for the social enterprise by over 400% in the first year alone, allowing them to expand their network of artisans supported through the shop. The tourism program provides increased livelihood opportunities for women and at-risk youth, while also acting as a base funding for the Women’s Development Centre’s shelter for abused women. Differently-abled youth are trained as servers for the program, while women are trained as chefs. The cafe business established by Planeterra became profitable in the first year it was established. 5% of the profits are allocated to support running costs for WDC’s shelter for women.

200
people earning an income
1,000
community members indirectly benefitting
Sthree Craft Shop and Café - Planeterra

Critical Need

The Women’s Development Centre (WDC) in Kandy, Sri Lanka has been working to create equal opportunities for women since 1986. This registered nonprofit organization runs programs to combat violence against women and empower them as equal members of society, with one of their programs, Sthree, being a handicraft shop for women entrepreneurs. Sthree was established in 2007 as a handicraft shop with the support of the World University Service of Canada. Sthree’s aim is to create opportunities for economically and socially marginalized producers. Since its establishment, Sthree has struggled to make the business a source of sustainable income for their programs and the entrepreneurs they serve.

Our Involvement

With the support of Planeterra, a catalyst grant was provided to WDC to revamp the craft shop and outfit a working kitchen in the space. A dining area was established to host travellers, creating a steady stream of income and customers at the Sthree Craft Shop and Café.

Women and youth serve up breakfast, lunch and high tea to travellers, as they learn more about the amazing work that the WDC does across Sri Lanka. Planeterra provided support to the team on experience development and business administration to support the development of a newly profitable enterprise.

Related projects

Pink City Rickshaw
Pink City Rickshaw
Sunder Rang
Anoothi India
Sharing Seeds
Read more

Jia Community Restaurant

September 4, 2020 Rhea Simms Partners

Jia Community Restaurant

Liandaowan, China

Impact

Jia Community Restaurant is not just a restaurant, it is a hub where hundreds of community members come together to learn and share experiences. It is used for celebrations, children’s educational programs, women’s empowerment programs and more. The centre receives sustained income from tourism that allows them to create jobs in the rural village while continuing to expand training programs to more people. 

Over 30 community programs were hosted here in the first year of operation. In 2019, they initiated a Community Development Fund, saving a portion of all tourism income to support community projects. Women in the community have become much more engaged in leading community activities since the first year, as they can see the impact first hand that the centre is having for their children. In the future, they hope to implement more environmental programs.

5
women employed
400
community members benefitting

Critical Need

Rural women and children in China are frequently faced with the challenge of being separated from their families, as men travel to cities to earn an income. In Liandaowan village the women are left without meaningful livelihood opportunities, and children’s education remains basic. 

RWDF  aims to meet the needs of rural women and children by providing meaningful job opportunities, training, and immersive education for children. A large network of rural women across China allows women to discover new skills, passions, and create a strong sense of community.

Our Involvement

Planeterra partnered with the Rural Women’s Development Foundation (RWDF) to provide the catalyst grant to construct a Community Corner and Restaurant in Liandaowan.

Planeterra then helped introduce RWDF to tour operator G Adventures resulting in a built-in customer base of travellers. The restaurant provides the opportunity for young women and families to become chefs, waiters and guides to host travellers. 

Planeterra supported the training of 10 women in developing the necessary skills to run a successful kitchen. The restaurant is owned and managed by Tomato, a woman with a strong vision of seeing her generation empowered and engaging meaningfully in society. The Community Corner acts as a place of learning and community building for children, including a library, formal learning programs and other community events.

.

Related projects

No Limits Cafe
Ak Orgo
Japan Hagi Elder Homestay
Read more

Berracas de la 13

September 4, 2020 Rhea Simms Partners

Berracas de la 13

Comuna 13, Medellin, Colombia

Impact

Berracas de la 13 was created by a small network of women with a goal of empowering women and youth in their community who have experienced violence and various injustices. The women created their own small businesses selling handicrafts and souvenirs in order to generate income to support their community. In 2016, they opened a restaurant called Berracas Restaurant in order to generate even more revenue and more opportunities for their community. Planeterra’s partnership has allowed them to improve their business, increase revenue, and invest back into their community.

179
people employed
1253
community members benefitting

Critical Need

At the end of the 20th century, Medellin struggled with violence, crime, drugs and political unrest.  The area was one of the main cities under the control of groups loyal to Pablo Escobar, as it is along a main highway which made it easy for the transportation of drugs, traffickers, and gangs. Comuna 13, an area within Medellin, was known as one of the most dangerous communities in the country, and one of the most dangerous cities in the world. Many people were impacted by the violence and the injustices within the community. 

Today, Medellin is regarded by some as one of the most innovative cities in the world, impacting much of Colombia’s economy. It has also become known as a popular tourist destination and has had a significant decrease in crime. Comuna 13, in particular, has also focused on transformation and is emerging onto the tourism scene. However, the Comuna women still face barriers to accessing the formal job market, and youth have limited access to education and job opportunities because of poverty in the area.

Despite their progress, Berracas de la 13 had been unable to access the international tourism market and were unable to secure funding to get the equipment necessary to comply with government regulations for a restaurant.

Our Involvement

Planeterra supported Berracas de la 13 through a grant that was used to improve the Berracas Restaurant facilities and equipment, and access training in hospitality, allowing them to comply with government regulations and run a professional business.

With the support of Planeterra, they have been able to develop a new Comuna tour and meal service, benefitting women and youth from the community.

Travellers will have the opportunity to learn from local guides, visit local shops, try local food and purchase unique handicrafts.

Related projects

Tinkuy Community Tourism
Shandia Lodge
Favela Experience
Jukil Community Lodge
Read more

DinéHózhó

September 3, 2020 Planeterra Partners

Native Grill

Navajo Nation

Impact

Along with encouraging more travellers to stop at roadside craft cooperatives and artisan markets, Planeterra has partnered with the Native Grill, a DinéHózhó-supported food truck owned and run by the Littleboy family, just outside of Cameron, Arizona. Planeterra has successfully integrated meals at Native Grill for tourism brands like G Adventures, Travelsphere, and Just You, providing a grant for the business to be ready for additional international customers. The Littleboy family and the surrounding community benefit from travellers stopping for a meal and perhaps purchasing handicrafts from local artisans, they can also provide insight into the Indigenous culture of the Dine, while educating travellers on what life is like in Navajo Nation today. 

50
community members benefitting

Critical Need

Besides income earned from natural resources in the region, the Diné (which means “the people”, and is the name Navajo tribes use to refer to themselves in their own language) are engaged in major development initiatives targeted toward health, education, economic development, and employment. Navajo Nation faces a 45% unemployment rate and while federal policies have promoted resource extractive industries, the small business sector remains underdeveloped. Many non-profit organizations, tribal programs, and government entities have made it their mission to change this statistic but even with government funding, technical support, impact assessments, feasibility studies, and financing, these efforts have made very little impact on the Navajo economy overall, and there remains a real need for small business incubation networks, which are appearing more and more.

DinéHózhó aims to integrate Diné/Navajo culture, sustainability, conservation, and local knowledge to realize a placed-based sustainable economy that upholds the Hózhó concept and Diné principles. They further strive to cultivate seeds of capacity building, regional empowerment, and economic livelihoods that transition toward sustainable communities and improves the Diné quality of life.

Our Involvement

Seeing the need for investment in the tourism industry of Navajo Nation, Planeterra reached out to DinéHózhó, a community-based low-profit limited liability company that works with Indigenous-owned businesses to assist in their development and connect them to the tourism industry.

One of the current DinéHózhó initiatives includes working towards the creation of a corridor of locally-owned Diné businesses on the route towards the Grand Canyon East Gate, one of the most travelled roads around this incredibly popular destination.

Planeterra partnered with them to promote travellers visiting their first Diné/Navajo experience on popular routes through the western US region. Planeterra also provided a grant for upgrades to the Native Grill Food Truck, providing extra solar panels, hospitality training, as well as seating and shade for additional guests. 

Related projects

Zoológico Mágico
Asociación de Mujeres Artesanas Zoológico Mágico
El Hongo
Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre
Read more

El Hongo

September 3, 2020 Planeterra Partners

El Hongo

Playa del Carmen, Mexico

Impact

Funds from El Hongo, a restaurant located in Playa del Carmen, are used to support programs including art and cooking lessons, and to pay for the teachers and materials that work with the youth in the area. Art programs are tailored to youth ages 6-15 in Playa and are used to foster creativity and support sustainability and development in their neighbourhoods. More than 60 youth are benefitting from these programs supported by revenue generated from El Hongo. 

60
youth benefitting
120
community members benefitting

Critical Need

Playa del Carmen is one of the fastest growing cities in all of Latin America. It’s one of Mexico’s major tourism destinations and since it’s just outside of Cancun, it is the gateway to the resorts of Riviera Maya and Tulum. The city has changed drastically over the years and now, every store and international brand can be found on the city’s main strip. Most locals live on one side of the main highway, which many travellers do not get to see. Services are not the same there and are much more basic, even the roads remain unpaved.

Our Involvement

El Hongo, “The Mushroom” is a volunteer-run restaurant created as a means to earn income to support Calle 19, a community art program in the “real” Playa del Carmen, Mexico. Volunteers from the community developed El Hongo to clean up the neighbourhood and inspire youth to take part in programs to develop their skills and give them confidence for a brighter future. Planeterra connected El Hongo with our partners at the tour operator G Adventures, who now take their travellers to tour the neighbourhood to see the street art created by the youth who are part of the program and enjoy a meal at the restaurant.

Related projects

Zoológico Mágico
Asociación de Mujeres Artesanas Zoológico Mágico
Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre
Read more
Contact
19 Charlotte Street, Toronto, ON
M5V 2H5, CANADA
+1(416)263-4671
More info
Social media
Newsletter sign up

Canada Not-for-Profit Corporation Number: 793488-2, US 501 (c)(3) public charity, EIN 83-1619668