Sparrow's Nests

Adopt a Sparrow's Nests Sparrow Village Jane Flower Man Ace Soccer Mr. Daniels	Sparrow's Nests by G.R.E.A.T. (Grass-Roots Entrepreneurial Assistance Training)
	Working with Hiram College, Rotary Clubs, Rotaract Clubs, and Interact Clubs to significantly reduce world unemployment.
	Entrepreneurship and self-employment are generally considered central to economic development and revitalization, particularly in underdeveloped countries or economically stagnant regions in the United States (Birch, 1981; Brock & Evans, 1989). As companies increasingly downsize to become more competitive in the world economy, the growth of new businesses becomes an important avenue towards full employment. Policy makers, therefore, have searched for ways to encourage new business and small business growth.
	Entrepreneurs do not succeed by accident. In some countries you must provide a water source to begin any entrepreneurial project. Study after study demonstrates that education of entrepreneurs can dramatically increase their success rates. Health care projects must be among the initial endeavors of our grass-roots entrepreneurs By providing opportunities to the lowest of the economic level we can by-pass those most countries start-up regulations and restrictions for new businesses. Projects offering safety and opportunities for today’s children will help provide the future entrepreneurs needed to reduce world unemployment; therefore, such projects are considered important as initial endeavors for our grass-roots entrepreneurs.
	The Sparrow Village Project and Modeling Future Heroes has personally been involved with international exchange and project collaboration for almost 100 years and we are convinced that there is both short term and long term value in international grassroots collaboration projects. We would argue that even though there is often significant travel and facilitation costs involved in developing these collaborative relationships, the effect on the participants and the exposure of organization leaders to other cultures far out weighs the cost.
	Sparrow’s Nest, derived from the extremely successful District 6630 Sparrow Village project (www.sparrowvillage.org), is a new business endeavor undertaken by an ambitious and talented individual, often living within impoverished areas, who could be successful if given an opportunity. Starting businesses deep within the grass-roots level may be the only way to significantly fight world poverty. With unemployment over 80 % in many impoverished areas, starting one's own business may be the only way to overcome poverty and the best way to start relieving the many pains of an entire community. These special individuals are ambitious self-starters and will help improve themselves instead of waiting for a handout. They are already in contact with local Rotary Clubs and churches. To create a Sparrow’s Nest, give these people training, encouragement, ideas to become self-sufficient, and then financing the start of their business.

	Once the grass-roots entrepreneur is established in his/her business, we locate and train another, thus starting the process all over again. Successful grass-roots entrepreneurs, by their example, inspire other capable people in their communities to become grass-roots entrepreneurs, thus repeating the process.
	Our research shows, on average, Sparrow's Nests have each hired about 5 new employees and inspired the creation of over 2 additional Sparrow’s Nests each year for the past 10 years! Over the next 25 years, more than 300 million jobs could be created by Rotary and their partner organizations working together with educational institutions to create Sparrow Nest’s projects!
	How can these potential entrepreneurs be located?
	Universities, Rotary Clubs and other service clubs, religious groups all know of someone who is trying to start a business and shows the work ethics necessary to establish a successful business. They know many of these potential grass-roots entrepreneurs, these "beacons of hope." Many have the volunteers with the programs to train future entrepreneurs. They can help the 'new trainee' to train additional workers. They have the connections to introduce sponsors to the individual grass-roots entrepreneurs. They the financial follow-up programs to give these entrepreneurs a good start. Most are already giving to those in need with no end in site. What if we work to give the same amount of money and effort to those who will help themselves and who will in turn help many others.
	If you have a project that qualifies as a Sparrows Nest, please contact us at: Sparrow's Nest Information
	©Sparrow Village Project copyrighted 2003 by Carol Conley Ruggie