D.U.D.E.S.
Dollars for Under Developed Economic Societies
Hello. We are the D.U.D.E.S. which stands for Dollars for Under Developed Economic Societies.
We manufacture and sell Wood Products, and all of the profits that we earn, we invest into entrepreneurs throughout the world. We do this through an organization called KIVA.
It all started back in 2009, when we were in the fourth grade. We sat under a tree eating our lunches, and thought of ways we could earn money. We decided on building birdhouses, because we thought it would be fun, and everyone could use a birdhouse. It was there that we sketched out our first birdhouse design. Later, we were invited to a local Rotary club presentation where we learned about KIVA (An international micro-credit organization). That Rotary/KIVA presentation inspired us to pursue our birdhouse business as a way to help support entrepreneurs throughout the world (with KIVA). With only the ideas in our heads, we stood up during this presentation, and told the guests about our idea. To our surprise, that night, we pre-sold 15 bird houses and raised over $150! With the help of our parents and other Rotarians, we were introduced to local craft people who were willing to mentor us in woodworking, and to help us get started.
Our mentors have taught us the skills necessary to help us succeed. They are local woodworkers, cabinet makers, timber managers, and public speaking specialists. They helped us in promoting our project and to find donations of raw materials. Through the past five years, we have been able to expand our product line. Along with bird houses, we also manufacture Bird Feeders, Bat Houses, Tool Boxes, Wood-Duck Boxes, and Owl Boxes. We D.U.D.E.S. market our products at local fairs, Christmas Boutiques, and local community service organizations (such as Rotary and Kiwanis). The money made from our products is invested into an entrepreneur somewhere in the world.
As we have grown up, we realize now that our business is much more than just bird houses. We D.U.D.E.S. are helping to relieve poverty in third world countries. By investing in the lives of others, we are helping them to improve their lives for themselves, their families, and their economic communities.
Our mentors have taught us the skills necessary to help us succeed. They are local woodworkers, cabinet makers, timber managers, and public speaking specialists. They helped us in promoting our project and to find donations of raw materials. Through the past five years, we have been able to expand our product line. Along with bird houses, we also manufacture Bird Feeders, Bat Houses, Tool Boxes, Wood-Duck Boxes, and Owl Boxes. We D.U.D.E.S. market our products at local fairs, Christmas Boutiques, and local community service organizations (such as Rotary and Kiwanis). The money made from our products is invested into an entrepreneur somewhere in the world.
As we have grown up, we realize now that our business is much more than just bird houses. We D.U.D.E.S. are helping to relieve poverty in third world countries. By investing in the lives of others, we are helping them to improve their lives for themselves, their families, and their economic communities.
When we sold our first birdhouse, we were both nervous, AND excited. But... because of our diligence... our perseverance... and our passion for helping others... our reinvestments are now OVER $20,000. That is over 700 lives that we have impacted. We are proud to be helping other people in other countries who are trying to start or improve their own business, so that THEY can improve the lives for themselves, their families, and their economic communities. It makes us feel good that we are making a difference in our world.
A Rotary slogan that we have lived by for the past 8 years is:
A Rotary slogan that we have lived by for the past 8 years is:
Building Communities... Bridging Continents