BUSINESS MODEL INNOVATION

About Catalyst for Change Vietnam

This pitch video introduces Catalyst for Change Vietnam, a social enterprise dedicated to creating positive impact on Vietnamese women and children through educational volunteerism and cultural immersion.

Birth of Catalyst for Change Vietnam

1. Empathize

   Growing up in the quiet coastal villages of Central Vietnam, Tang Duyen Hong, the founder of Catalyst for Change Vietnam, was acutely aware of the struggles faced by women in society, especially single mothers. Hong’s childhood was marked by the absence of her father, who had sought opportunities in Europe, and the relentless sacrifices of her mother, who bore the weight of the family’s survival. This personal experience was compounded by being a single mom herself later in life, who faced key challenges due to the cultural stigma and lack of supporting system.

   

    

   These insights became the driving force behind Catalyst for Change Vietnam. Hong recognized that to effectively support single mothers, it was essential to address their needs holistically, providing not just immediate relief but also empowering them with the tools and opportunities necessary for long-term change.

2. Define

   Catalyst for Change Vietnam defined its mission around these core insights. The team identified several key challenges faced by single mothers:

   • Economic Instability: Many single mothers were engaged in low-paying, unstable jobs that did not provide sufficient income to support their families. Without access to better job opportunities, they were unable to break free from the cycle of poverty.
   • Lack of Education and Skills: A significant number of single mothers lacked the education and skills needed for higher-paying jobs. This gap limited their employment opportunities and hindered their ability to provide a better future for their children.
   • Social Stigma and Isolation: Single mothers often faced cultural stigma, leading to social isolation and a lack of community support. This isolation exacerbated their challenges, making it difficult for them to seek help or find resources.
   • Mental Health Challenges: The stress and anxiety associated with their circumstances took a toll on their mental health. However, the social stigma surrounding mental health issues often prevented them from seeking necessary support.
   • Lack of Childcare Support: Without affordable and reliable childcare options, many single mothers were unable to pursue employment or education opportunities, further limiting their ability to improve their circumstances.

3. Ideate

• Teaching English to Single Mothers and Their Children: Leveraging Hong’s own journey of overcoming challenges through English proficiency, the team thought this could open new opportunities for them. However, they soon realized that the single mothers’ immediate needs were more pressing—basic necessities like sending kids to school and managing daily expenses took precedence.
• Providing a 6-Month Shelter: The team hoped to offer a safe space for women in need, providing food and accommodation. Yet, they found that while the shelter provided temporary relief, it did not lead to long-term, sustainable change. Once the women left the shelter, they often reverted to their previous situations.
• Interaction with International Volunteers: The aim was to foster cultural exchange and support through volunteerism. Unfortunately, this led to some sensitive and unforeseen issues, including misunderstandings and unrealistic imaginations about interracial love, which were challenging to manage effectively. The team realized the need to raise awareness slowly, incorporating workshops and interactions to ensure more inspiring and timely conversations.
• Her Academy 1.0: Initially, the team advertised mental health programs broadly, not considering the social stigma attached to seeking such support. This approach made women reluctant to participate.
• Her Craft 1.0: Teaching women craft skills seemed promising but proved insufficient for creating significant income or job opportunities. Their skill levels plateaued, limiting their economic potential.
• Her Kitchen 1.0: The team tried to train women to open their own restaurants, but without mastering advanced culinary skills, they struggled to sustain these businesses.

4. Prototype

a. Teach For Change Program (TFC)

TFC program is a service that provides a unique culture exchange experience for international volunteers and connects them with women-led English centers to teach children in Vietnam. Our program aims to bridge the gap between global communities and enhance English language education in Vietnam.

• 23+ active TFC partner language centers operating throughout Vietnam.
• 1100+ volunteers have participated in our TFC program.
• 36+ countries where volunteers have joined us from.
• 5,000+ Vietnamese students are learning English.

b. The Empowerment Plan (TEP):

The Empowerment Plan is a service that utilizes funds generated from the TFC program to support disadvantaged and marginalized women in Vietnam. Our aim is to provide comprehensive support and empowerment through vocational training, business skills development, psychological therapy, and financial assistance.

1. Her Academy: An online platform offering courses on self-improvement, childcare, and business management, equipping women with knowledge and skills.
2. Her Craft: A vocational training center and shop teaching women handcrafting skills and providing a platform to sell their products.
3. Her Kitchen: A restaurant offering free culinary and hospitality training programs for women in need.

• 260,000+ women have connected through Her Academy open Facebook group
• 996 women have received direct money support (2.917.500 VND was deducted from TEP Fund)
• 398 mothers have received support in training, psychological counseling, business skills training, parenting skills, etc. online
• 60 ethnic minority women have been trained under 1-year offline professional training and working in Her Craft.
• 14 women have been trained and are working in Her Kitchen.

5. Test

Catalyst for Change Vietnam embraced a mindset of continuous adaptation and improvement. We recognized that no solution is ever perfect or final, and we remained committed to evolving our programs based on real-time feedback, market demands, and the changing needs of our beneficiaries.

Business Model Canvas

Our Value Proposition revolves around creating a significant social impact, offering professional development opportunities, economic affordability, and promoting sustainable practices. We believe that by empowering women and enhancing educational opportunities for children, we can contribute to the overall development of the beneficiaries which are volunteers, children and disadvantaged women. Our ideal Customers are women-led English centers, volunteer-sending partners and funding partners. 

Our business model is a dynamic and adaptable framework that integrates multiple components to drive social change. The logical linkages between these components ensure that each element supports and enhances the others, creating a cohesive and innovative system that effectively empowers children and disadvantaged women.

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Join us today to be a Catalyst for change!

Project Leader: Van Thi Nhu Thuy

Phone: (+84) 0947.435.085

Email:  [email protected]

For inquiries and partnerships:

Email: [email protected]