During a visit to a supermarket, an incident occurred that left a lasting impact on the students. They encountered a situation where a dairy brand was unavailable due to the stock being discarded after reaching its expiration date. This incident prompted them to reflect on the stark contrasts that exist in their country. On one end of the spectrum, there are issues such as food smuggling, hyperinflation, catastrophic floods, and unethical practices of the food mafia. In fact, the Global Hunger Index 2018-19 has classified Pakistan as having a "serious hunger level." On the other hand, it was alarming to learn that approximately 40% of food goes to waste annually in Pakistan, amounting to a staggering 36 million tonnes of food each year. This realization highlights the need for concerted efforts to address both the issues of food scarcity and food waste in the country.
The Journey
Throughout their project journey, the students experienced a wide range of emotions, setbacks, and achievements. They developed a strong civic sense, perseverance, and a focused mindset towards the bigger picture. However, they also encountered numerous challenges along the way. These challenges served as valuable learning opportunities, and they actively sought advice and guidance from their teachers and mentors, showing respect for their expertise. The journey was filled with ups and downs, successes and failures, but above all, it provided them with a newfound awareness of the harsh realities that exist within society. This awareness instilled in them a deep sense of compassion and selflessness towards the larger community.
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Key Learnings
As aspiring business students, they gained valuable knowledge from their academic studies, which they successfully applied to real-world scenarios. They were able to bridge the gap between theory and... practice by conducting thorough market research and developing practical skills such as financial forecasting and website development. However, they encountered significant challenges when it came to turning their ideas into reality, primarily due to the financial resources required. The costs associated with website development and marketing to attract potential food retail businesses and customers exceeded their personal budget, leading to a delay in launching the project during the summer. To address this issue, they explored alternative solutions such as seeking seed funding from venture capital through international crowdfunding platforms or approaching institutions like the National Incubation Center or SAMEDA. Additionally, they are currently in the process of setting up a pilot project website for a limited period to test the practical potential of their business plan during the upcoming summer break.
The Impact
Their business plan has successfully sparked interest and motivation among those around them. They have a vision that this project will serve as the catalyst for many future endeavours within their school and local community. Beyond the economic impact and addressing income distribution, this project is also initiating a shift in mindset among the general population. The students strive for their project to be the initial wave in a series of social and environmental transformations, promoting a sense of selfless social responsibility.
Way Forward
The primary objective ahead is to implement this project with full determination in the twin cities of Islamabad/Rawalpindi. The focus is on generating significant publicity to attract corporate support and philanthropic contributions. Building strong brand recognition and securing substantial funding will play a crucial role in realizing this plan.
The Inspiration
During a visit to a supermarket, an incident occurred that left a lasting impact on the students. They encountered a situation where a dairy brand was unavailable due to the stock being discarded after reaching its expiration date. This incident prompted them to reflect on the stark contrasts that exist in their country. On one end of the spectrum, there are issues such as food smuggling, hyperinflation, catastrophic floods, and unethical practices of the food mafia. In fact, the Global Hunger Index 2018-19 has classified Pakistan as having a "serious hunger level." On the other hand, it was alarming to learn that approximately 40% of food goes to waste annually in Pakistan, amounting to a staggering 36 million tonnes of food each year. This realization highlights the need for concerted efforts to address both the issues of food scarcity and food waste in the country.
The Journey
Throughout their project journey, the students experienced a wide range of emotions, setbacks, and achievements. They developed a strong civic sense, perseverance, and a focused mindset towards the bigger picture. However, they also encountered numerous challenges along the way. These challenges served as valuable learning opportunities, and they actively sought advice and guidance from their teachers and mentors, showing respect for their expertise. The journey was filled with ups and downs, successes and failures, but above all, it provided them with a newfound awareness of the harsh realities that exist within society. This awareness instilled in them a deep sense of compassion and selflessness towards the larger community.
"
Key Learnings
As aspiring business students, they gained valuable knowledge from their academic studies, which they successfully applied to real-world scenarios. They were able to bridge the gap between theory and... practice by conducting thorough market research and developing practical skills such as financial forecasting and website development. However, they encountered significant challenges when it came to turning their ideas into reality, primarily due to the financial resources required. The costs associated with website development and marketing to attract potential food retail businesses and customers exceeded their personal budget, leading to a delay in launching the project during the summer. To address this issue, they explored alternative solutions such as seeking seed funding from venture capital through international crowdfunding platforms or approaching institutions like the National Incubation Center or SAMEDA. Additionally, they are currently in the process of setting up a pilot project website for a limited period to test the practical potential of their business plan during the upcoming summer break.
The Impact
Their business plan has successfully sparked interest and motivation among those around them. They have a vision that this project will serve as the catalyst for many future endeavours within their school and local community. Beyond the economic impact and addressing income distribution, this project is also initiating a shift in mindset among the general population. The students strive for their project to be the initial wave in a series of social and environmental transformations, promoting a sense of selfless social responsibility.
Way Forward
The primary objective ahead is to implement this project with full determination in the twin cities of Islamabad/Rawalpindi. The focus is on generating significant publicity to attract corporate support and philanthropic contributions. Building strong brand recognition and securing substantial funding will play a crucial role in realizing this plan.
