What Is Social Impact?

Social impact is simply improving the lives of others and the world around us. Anyone can do it, not just big companies and wealthy people. You can volunteer, donate, or educate others about social issues. 

While these actions sound quite simple, most people do not do them for various reasons. For instance, a 2020 worldwide survey (Global Trends in Giving Report) found that people do not donate to charities because their finances don’t stretch, they don’t trust charities, or they don’t believe their donations will make a difference. The survey also found that some people prefer to volunteer or donate goods or food instead of money.

But volunteering is no picnic, either. You may not have the time, especially if you have a full-time job, you may not know where to start, and sometimes the process of getting involved in a program can be too complicated. How, then, can you begin to make a difference? The simple answer is looking within; find out what social impact means to you and do what feels comfortable to you. 

To me, social impact means using my skills, resources, and position to improve the lives of others who may not have the same privileges. My journey in social impact has taught me that even the smallest actions can contribute to making the world a better place for everyone.

Today, spreading awareness about a cause you are passionate about and supporting causes is relatively easy. You can share information on social media, write a blog post, or just talk to friends and family. For instance, I am passionate about feminism. So I write and talk about it whenever I can. I have been able to educate others and debunk the misconceptions about feminism. People are more likely to take action and help when they understand the challenges others face. 

How I Got Into Social Impact

Growing up, my mother taught me the importance of social impact and community care. We regularly donated food and clothes to children’s homes and shared meals with our neighbors during special holidays. These small acts of kindness shaped my values.

In 2019, a friend from my alma mater invited me to visit a children’s home with Hill Light Foundation, a charity he had co-founded. It comprises a group of friends dedicated to helping vulnerable children in Kenya through donations of food, clothing, hygiene products, and stationery. We spent the day cleaning the home and interacting with the children, and I realized I wanted to do this more often. I officially joined them. 

I also wanted to work for a company with a social purpose to help solve issues that mattered to me. Girl Power Talk’s mission and values of women empowerment, inclusivity, and diversity deeply resonated with me, so I applied for a content writer position in 2021. The opportunity to write for social change alone was a dream come true. However, Girl Power Talk allowed me to contribute to meaningful change in more ways.

Defining Moments

Once, after a visit to Tollen Children’s Home with Hill Light Foundation, I met with Sameer Somal, Girl Power Talk’s co-founder, on Zoom. I spoke about the visit in a casual conversation about my day. His interest was piqued, and he offered to support the home with their pressing needs, including donating a 10,000-liter water tank to solve their water problem. The company also committed to a monthly donation of $300 to help cover the costs of food and sanitary products for the girls, who were using mattress pieces or missing school during their periods. This marked the beginning of an amplified impact. 

Girl Power Talk’s non-profit arm, Girl Power USA, entered a formal partnership with Hill Light Foundation in 2022. As a member of both organizations, I had the opportunity to lead and participate in numerous sustainable initiatives across Kenya. One of our key projects was supporting Total Rehab Centre for Disabled Children, a home for individuals with autism and cerebral palsy. Here, we provided financial support and purchased 100 chickens to help the home generate revenue to cater to their various needs for food and medication.

The partnership also supported Pillars of Hope Children’s Home by funding the purchase and installation of solar panels. This provided a reliable source of power, enabling the children to do their homework at night with ease. We organized a special event to hand over the solar panels, where we shared a meal and played games with the children. Witnessing the joy and gratitude from everyone at the home was refreshing.

Beyond Kenya, Girl Power USA is working on several other projects in India, Nigeria, and Uganda. I had the pleasure of visiting India and participating in a conference about career education and financial literacy for teenage girls in Uganda. Contributing to these projects has helped me understand the diverse challenges different communities face.

Lessons and Rewards

The journey has not been without challenges. There are always moments of doubt and instances where the problems we are trying to solve feel overwhelming. But this only reinforces my belief in the importance of this work. This is what I have learned along the way:

Communicate clearly: To be effective, you must communicate with your team and be on the same page before starting any project. Understanding the needs and challenges of a particular group ensures that you direct your resources appropriately. Before deciding how to assist a home, we visit them, speak with the director about their most pressing needs, and conduct an independent assessment.

Be ready to adapt: No matter how much you plan, sometimes you will be met with unexpected circumstances that require you to be flexible and adapt your strategies.

Collaborate: No significant change can be achieved alone. We would not have achieved what we have without our team members and partners around the world. Everyone contributes to making each project and event a success. 

Prioritize sustainable solutions: While immediate relief can be crucial, implementing long-term strategies that ensure independence in the long run has proven more effective in creating enduring positive impacts.

Parting Shot

Everyone can make a positive impact in their own way. Whether it is performing small acts of kindness, volunteering your time, or pursuing a career aligned with your values, every effort counts. Social impact work is not just about the changes we create in the world but also about the transformation it brings within us. You will be better for it, personally and professionally.

Marion’s journey shows that social impact is achievable for everyone by using what they have to do the little they can.