Business club highlights its integrity through involvement

Amanda Bazil/ Contributing Writer

They say it takes the act of giving back to truly experience gratitude, and the efforts of the International Business Honor Society at FIU makes it an organization that stands out while doing just that as well as achieving so much more.

Aside from helping students to develop leadership skills while equipping them with the necessary knowledge to prosper in the international business realm, IBHS has manifested its integrity into its involvement, particularly in Bandhwari, India.

The inclusive club, which is open to all students regardless of major, has invested time at a local school in India teaching basic reading and math. They’re also funding girls in Nicaragua with scholarships by selling bracelets created by the scholar recipients.

However, their most impressive act by far is their commitment to the Bandhwari Women’s Co-Op Project, a mission geared towards helping women of a small village, acquire income through the creating and selling of hand-crafted luxury items.

“Through our advisor, David Wernick, who had connections to a guy in India, we heard of the small village and decided to help,” says Sofia Garcia, an alumni who earned a degree in international business with a certificate in communication. She’s also the organization’s former public relations officer.

Of course, venturing onto a project like this wasn’t so simple and a lot of fundraising, either through pitching the idea to businesses or financial donations had to be done.

If you’re having trouble getting businesses to support your cause, Garcia advises that tabling, having bake sales and even valentines’ day sales can help increase needed funds.

The result of these financial gains allowed IBHS to open the gate way for Bandhwari to enter the global market, thus ultimately improving their community. Makeup bags, tote bags and handbags are just a few among many other products that the women of India are now able to sell within their microbusiness.

“There are several ways IBHS has involved their members in helping the international community, but rather than going on service trips solely, we help the community by teaching them basic business skills that are necessary to thrive in the long term,” said Daniela Rodriguez, a senior majoring in biomedical engineering and president of IBHS.

While their efforts look as if Bandhwari alone reaps all the benefits, Rodriguez agrees that this relationship is a two-way street.

“Providing villages, like Bandhwari, the skills necessary to initiate a micro-business on a global scale through an organization that is composed of honor students means providing global awareness to both our members and those of the Bandhwari village,” said Rodriguez. “We learn necessary business skills to compete in a dynamic global economy and establish our skills set in a community in need, regardless of any economic situation both entities encounter.”

IBHS saw Bandhwari’s economic potential and gave the impoverished area the chance to survive in our ever-changing global economy, and that is a truly commendable feat.

The success of their endeavors lies not in their ability to help make these projects happen, but in the long lasting positive effect that its receivers will now have as a result of IBHS’ intentions.

 

DISCLAIMER:

The opinions presented within this page do not represent the views of Panther Press Editorial Board. These views are separate from editorials and reflect individual perspectives of contributing writers and/or members of the University community.

 

Photo by Helloquence on Unsplash.