‘From Depending on Aid to Investing in Social Enterprise’ Doing the Usual Business in an Unusual Way: How Tochi Community Transformation Initiative (TOCOTI) Can Use the Concept of ‘Social Enterprise’ To Harness Sustainable Development in Tochi County

Abstract

This essay demonstrates that social enterprise is not only the new tool for doing the usual business in an unusual way, but also the “magic bullet” for addressing some of the most precarious challenges especially in developing countries. Because unlike the conventional development narrative which views the poor as infants in need of adults’ guidance, it treats them as equal partners in development. This is further reinforced by the fact that; it starts by addressing the root causes of their problems not the symptoms as the case with aid-driven development discourse. Thus, revolutionizing the entire unjust socio-economic systems which increase their susceptibility to stress factors such as, multidimensional poverty, climate change, and social injustices. This leaves us with no other better option than to say that, gone are days when donors dictate solutions for the misfortunes of the poor. They already have its alternative in the name ‘social enterprise’ which put them at the centre of their own development. Therefore, they should appreciate, try, test and promote it in order to realize sustainable development in their community.