CALD INTERNATIONAL

United States of America

CALD Connect in the U.S is partnered with local cable and internet service providers (e.g. Spectrum) as a sub-contractor to recruit Network technicians among Africa Diaspora Communities that are trained and deployed to install cable tv and high speed internet in personal homes and businesses.

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Africa

Through our growing partnership with Avanti Communications LLC http://www.avantiplc.com/ We are developing CALD Connect a social enterprise that will provide satellite broadband internet and Wi-Fi hotspot connectivity to Cooperatives societies/SACCO’s, schools, communities, governments, SME’s, NGO’s and individuals in Africa.

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Connecting cooperative societies in Africa

We are currently working with Savings and Credit Cooperative Societies (SACCOS) in Kenya to connect them with satellite broadband and WIFI hotspot innovative technology that will help their financial services delivery, exchange programs, information and training penetrate in African rural communities where majority of their members live.

Why cooperative societies?

“Cooperatives are a unique and invaluable presence in today’s world. They help to reduce poverty and generate jobs.” Ban Ki-moon, Former Secretary-General, United Nations.

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Cooperative society business Model

Cooperative businesses have lower failure rates than traditional corporations and small businesses, after the first year of startup, and after 5 years in business. About 10% of cooperatives fail after the first year while 60-80% of traditional businesses fail after the first year. After 5 years, 90% of cooperatives are still in business, while only 3 - 5% of traditional businesses are still operating after 5 years. This is often because of the many people involved in starting a cooperative and the high level of community support for cooperatives (World Council of Credit Unions study in Williams 2007).

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Cooperative societies community ownership

The Cooperative businesses are community-owned private enterprises that combine consumers with owners, and buyers with sellers in a democratic governance structure. Cooperatives solve the general economic problem of under or over production, business uncertainty, and excessive costs. Cooperatives address market failure and fill gaps that other private businesses ignore; such as: provision of rural electricity or other utilities in sparsely populated areas, provision of affordable healthy and organic foods; and access to affordable credit and banking services, to affordable housing, to quality affordable child or elder care, to markets for culturally sensitive goods and arts.

Cooperative businesses stabilize communities because they are community-based business anchors; and distribute, recycle, and multiply local expertise and capital within a community. They pool limited resources to achieve a critical mass. They enable their owners to generate income, and jobs, and accumulate assets; provide affordable, quality goods and services; and develop human and social capital, as well as economic independence. In addition, co-op enterprises and their members pay taxes, and are good citizens by giving donations to their communities, paying their employees fairly, and using sustainable practices.