About:
The MSW Foundation was set up as a charitable vehicle with the aim of helping local people who are challenged in some way be it socially, financially or physically, to maximize their true potential , and help them be economically productive members of society.
In addition, the foundation is keen to help disadvantaged women start financially viable businesses through its funding and mentoring programmes. Research from other micro-finance institutions has shown that women on average have higher repayment rates than men; the beneficial social spin-offs that are reaped from empowering disadvantaged women are also much greater. The President of Tanzania once said “When you educate a man, you educate an individual. But when you educate a woman you educate an entire family and a nation”.
Foundation’s Work Ethos:
All investments from the foundation’s soon to be launched small business investment arm will be offered to individuals with a compulsory mentoring programme where the individual seeking the loan, will be mentored on the basics of cash flow management, marketing and small business management.
The foundation strongly believes that “…… if we give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach him how to fish and you feed him for a lifetime……” Lao Tzu.
History:
"It is a lifelong goal of the founder of Media SW, to set up a string of highly profitable businesses (as “a means”) to channel his ‘restless energies’ and keen desire to focus a significant part of his life on charitable projects (“an end”) , that will help support local communities and people."
All employees of Media SW and its associate companies are reminded of this important goal, as this is the spririt that drives Media SW . They are made aware that they are working for a very special company - a company that is slightly different from other businesses where more often than not, the sole and only goal is to make maximum profit for the monetary enjoyment of the shareholders.
Some Examples of The Foundation’s Work :
March 2005: We helped raise a healthy four figure sum via corporate sponsorships in 30 days, after an appeal by Truro Cathedral in Cornwall, who needed urgent funding to complete their building restoration. Media SW persuaded local companies to donate money towards the cathedral’s restoration in exchange for having their company logos displayed on the cathedral’s building hoardings.
October 2007: We donated outdoor advertising spaces worth a four figure sum to Forget Me Not Baby
a charity based in Cornwall, that was set up to offer support to bereaved parents who have lost a baby.
February 2008: Our founder Mr. Ponnampalam offered to give a free talk to business students at Truro College, (after an appeal for support from one of the business studies lecturers) on creative product promotion with particular reference to the role of advertising agencies in achieving success for a business from its promotional activities.
March 2008: We donated outdoor advertising spaces worth a four figure sum to help promote a local charity event held at the The Penventon Park Hotel to help Stars of Hope a community development project with the aim of helping people in Kenya and Cornwall, by ultimately allowing them to help themselves via various self run community projects.
May 2008: We sponsored one of the prizes for the 2008 Innovation Awards organised by the enterprise education charity Young Enterprise Cornwall on 7th May 2008 at The Alverton Manor Hotel, Truro. We also agreed to present a cheque for some of the winners. Our financial support has helped teams of young people from various schools and colleges in Cornwall attend and present their entrepreneurial ideas to a panel of judges and compete for a place at the Young Enterprise Southwest Regional Final in Cheltenham.
