Our Leadership
Impact
At Maerifa Solutions, we believe in empowering communities. As such, we have pledged to donate a portion of our net profits to organisations creating impact around the world
Source: Project KHEL, EMpower Partner, India.
Since their inception in 2000, EMpower has awarded more than US$50 million in grants to nearly 400 organisations, and has directly impacted the lives of more than 1 million young people
EMpower partners with local organisations in emerging market (EM) countries and other change-makers to enable marginalised young people to transform their lives and communities. Youth in EM countries are a large and growing group, often constituting a third or more of their country’s population. This crucial time of transition—the journey from childhood to adulthood—is when youth develop skills and make decisions that will shape the rest of their lives and, by extension, the futures of their families, their communities, their countries and the wider world
Source: ROLE BaliWise, EMpower Partner, Indonesia
Source: Project KHEL, EMpower Partner, India
They are filled with creativity, energy, intelligence and hope, yet many face challenges and circumstances that stymie their growth and prevent them from achieving even modest life goals. Young people from underserved communities often lack resources, meaningful choices, and opportunities. Their perspectives are seldom sought or their voices heard. Local organisations that work with marginalised young people—and have the knowledge and solutions needed to break cycles of disadvantage—are also underfunded
EMpower believes that by supporting young people during the most pivotal time in their lives, we can help them change their world—and ours. EMpower provides flexible grants to local organisations focused on economic wellbeing, inclusive learning, and safe and healthy lives for marginalised young people. With tailored support, EMpower also fosters their grantee partners' organisational capacity, skills, and sustainability
Source: Oscar Foundation, EMpower Partner, India
For example, in Indonesia, EMpower has enabled young women to gain increased life- and job-readiness, and vocational skills, creating a pathway to skilled and formal employment in the hospitality sector in Bali and other islands
In India, EMpower has provided marginalised young people—especially young women and girls—with employment pathways that were previously out of their reach. This empowers young women to pursue nontraditional careers, enabling them to become electricians, drivers, and other professions traditionally inaccessible to them
In Vietnam, EMpower provides life, employability, and vocational skills training in IT, graphic design, sales and marketing and hospitality to young people in five provinces, including those living with disabilities and belonging to ethnic minorities
Case Study - VANGO
Nhu-Hong was an early participant in the Healthy Initiatives Through Peer Education (HIPE) programme run by EMpower’s former grantee partner, VANGO, in Hue, Vietnam. HIPE provides critical health education through a peer model, reaching youth with little access to this information
In 2010, Nhu-Hong was a shy student, terrified of speaking up. However, being selected as one of the first peer health educators transformed her life. HIPE covered sensitive topics like reproductive health, gender equality, and violence prevention. These sessions, alongside life skills like problem-solving and decision-making, helped Nhu-Hong grow in confidence
Now a HIPE Coordinator, Nhu-Hong leads training for new peer educators. Recently, she proudly presented at HIPE’s first youth conference, supported by EMpower, in front of 300 participants