WIM VAN der Torre with Tony Meloto
While Europe is still reeling from an economic slump, a Dutch entrepreneur has set his sights on the Philippines.
However, it wasn’t so much the potential money-making ventures that lured him to do business here.
It was the opportunity to give back.
Wim van der Torre proudly represents the antipoverty social enterprise, Gawad Kalinga (GK), in the Netherlands.
Business with a social mission
He is one of three European GK representatives. The others are Olivier Girault of France and Vanezza Zabert of Britain.
Whenever GK founder and visionary
Antonio Meloto visits, Van der Torre introduces the Filipino social entrepreneur to Dutch companies and schools.
Van der Torre formed Capitol Horizons, an upstart company specializing in development projects with socialite Becky Garcia, some Filipino businessmen and a European consultant.
Garcia, the company president, advised him to combine business with a social mission. Hence, a portion of its earnings will be donated to Gawad Kalinga.
Van der Torre, who is Capitol Horizon’s chair, pursued the cause because of the Filipinos’ warmth and hospitality.
More loved
“I have traveled around the world, but I have never felt more loved than in the Philippines,” he said.
With a science degree in healthcare, Van der Torre put up a chain of clinics in the Netherlands, focusing on geriatric dentistry or oral care for the elderly. He also established dental services for the less privileged.
With the success of his healthcare businesses, he was able to build up a network made up of companies and top universities. He then would invite the company officials to make investments in the Philippines and do some social good. Already, Dutch engineering and project management consultancy firm Royal Haskoning has shown interest
in GK.
His major project with Gawad Kalinga is the transfer of technology involving potatoes. Plans are afoot to look for a fertile site for potatoes. The crop will not only provide food but also livelihood for the poor.
“Although there are beautiful Gawad Kalinga villages, the poor need to support themselves and regain their dignity,” he says. “The objective is to train them to develop sustainable food production in a sustainable social environment. I’m sure Filipino food companies would love to use Gawad Kalinga potatoes. That’s the vision. For now, we have to look for the right soil.”
Potato culture
Officials from the Department of Agriculture told him that many efforts to cultivate potatoes had failed. Thus, the country has to import them.
“We are a potato culture, so we can share our knowledge,” says Van der Torre.
He wooed experts from the University of Wageningen, one of the top agricultural universities in the world, to collaborate with Gawad Kalinga.
“The potato has a higher nutritional value than corn, rice and other root crops. It’s well-protected because it is grown underground, and it uses less water,” says Van der Torre.
The Dutchman also goes around schools, such as Rotterdam University, to invite students to participate in GK’s international volunteer program.
Some European students have involved themselves with the GK communities and GK Enchanted Farm, visiting local leisure destinations on the side.
Less materialistic
Recently, a Dutch volunteer applied her medical background by creating a food program for Enchanted Farm Café.
Van der Torre’s own son will be spending three months of immersion in a GK village in August.
Visiting students can be inspired by the resilience and contentment of the poor, he says.
“They can learn how to look at life differently and be less materialistic,” he adds.
Capitol Horizon adviser George Sarakinis, who invited Van der Torre to the Philippines, says that it is hard to compete in business without being a rat.
“When foreign students come to the Philippines, they can pick up values and learn to work from the heart. Vim calls it the ‘business with a heart’ program,” Sarakinis says.
Asked what’s his income from this endeavor, Van der Torre replies: “Happiness… It’s the psychic income.”