Inclusive Social Enterprise to Alleviate Iron Deficiency in Women and Children in Cambodia
Gavin Armstrong *
University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada.
Alastair Summerlee
University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Objectives: Iron deficiency - particularly affects women and children, especially those living in poverty. Lack of iron leads to weakness, hampers cognitive development, reduces the capacity to work and increases susceptibility to disease. Most treatments involve supplementation but these are often not affordable nor available consistently. Such approaches are not sustainable.
Methods: We are commercializing a health innovation in Cambodia that, with ensuring social enterprise is included in every step of the process, has the capacity not only to cure iron deficiency but also be a sustainable approach. The innovation is known as the Lucky Iron Fish™: a small fish made of iron that weighs approximately 175g. Placing the fish in the cooking pot when preparing meals or sterilizing water releases sufficient concentrations of iron to alleviate iron deficiency (Charles et al., 2011; 2014).
Results: In the commercialization process, we are including social enterprise at every step in the process. The fish are made from local scrap metal by local dealers and the quality control and safety assurance are carried out by the Royal University of Phnom Penh – rejected fish are recycled into machine tools. The fish are packaged in containers made of recycled garbage, constructed by landmine victims and the product is sold through local sales teams.
Conclusions: The elements of successful social entrepreneurial activities will be discussed.