Micha Waelchli's Human Nature Internship Adventure

Human Nature intern Micha Waelchli talks about traveling across the globe to work in a social enterprise.

Human Nature intern Micha Waelchli talks about traveling across the globe to work in a social enterprise.

How I Ended Up in a Social Enterprise on the Other Side of the Globe

One cold and rainy evening last November, I was sitting in a presentation on the private equity industry that did not capture my attention for long. At short notice, I decided to ride my bike to the other side of Cambridge to listen to a speaker at the Cambridge Hub talking about “Building Communities to End Poverty”.

The question on how to tackle the poverty issue has been on my mind for years. Neither billions of dollars in aid nor “free-market policies” (dominated by asymmetric competition from the West) have helped pull developing countries out of poverty. I was keen on hearing about new solutions but skeptical at the same time. Social entrepreneurship is the new darling of academic research and new programs promoting the concept mushroom globally. But I knew of only a few real life examples that seemed to work sustainably.

The speakers happened to be Tony Meloto, founder of Gawad Kalinga (GK), and Joan Icotanim from Human Nature. They showed not only a lot of passion, but also a convincing approach to tackle poverty and nation building. I was deeply impressed. Their integrated approach of community building, social enterprises, and change in mindset seemed to work in helping hundreds of thousands out of poverty. I kept in contact with Joan and we soon began discussing the possibility of doing my summer project with Human Nature, as I was keen on seeing the concept firsthand.

The Most Memorable Impressions

My luggage is full of countless memories that I will take back home. First and foremost, there were all the great people I met, the inspiring discussions with Tito Tony, the CSI nights, the impressive leadership of Dylan and other Human Nature/GK leaders, and the competent and hardworking employees at Human Nature… especially in my department, supply chain. People are also extremely hospitable and friendly. It was always a great joy to enter the warehouse to warm greetings and welcoming smiles.

What was most impressive, however, was to experience the corporate culture of a successful social enterprise. The coherent mix of exceptional role models like Dylan, community- and employee-focused structures (e.g., paid working days for community service, a non-firing policy, above minimum wage salaries, etc.), and other reinforcement mechanisms is able to maintain this culture even though the headcount has almost tripled within the past 12 months. Human Nature employees are not just great professionals but they also care for their co-workers, their communities, and their nation. They put others first.

Lessons Learned To Bring Back Home

It is a humbling experience to be around people who genuinely care - a spirit we definitely need back in Europe. It is important to have a sound concept, but to change a society, you have to change individuals, one by one. Social capital grows from the bottom up and I am grateful to have seen that firsthand.

From a conceptual perspective, it was great to see how Human Nature has built an ecosystem of social enterprises that support each other and are successful not just in business, but also in pulling communities out of poverty. It is a mindset of growing the pie together instead of fighting over the small pieces of the existing one. My dear friend Reverend Dr. Peter Heslam once said that “the only solution to poverty is wealth, and the only means of generating it is business.” We have a crisis of capitalism back home in Europe, but Human Nature is a successful showcase of what capitalism is capable of doing: creating a society without poverty.

A Recommendation for Fellow Foreign Students

I would definitely recommend a similar exposure in the Philippines to fellow foreign students. Most people in the West are not aware of how beautiful the country is and how great Filipinos are! In addition, interns here get the chance to experience a showcase in poverty reduction and nation building, from which we can draw a lot of learnings for both other developing countries and struggling developed countries’ economies.

Higher education is a good thing, but it also streamlines thinking. Experiencing the entrepreneurial and innovative spirit of the poor people here puts your capabilities on a new level and humbles your ego – an experience that a lot of us graduates nowadays need.

I am really happy I found out about Human Nature and got to experience it firsthand. That bike ride through the cold November rain last year was definitely worth it!

My Message for Human Nature Employees

First of all, thank you all for having welcomed me here! I met so many great people and learned a lot from all of you! My supply chain team especially showed a great combination of dedicated hard work, strong team bonds, and fun in the office.

Also, be proud of what you are doing. You are at the forefront of what will hopefully become the global mainstream in the future. Dominic Barton, the global head of McKinsey, emphasizes the world’s need for more triple leadership in the business, social, and public sectors. He meant more people like you!

Micha, we are extremely grateful for all your valuable contributions to Human Nature. We wish you all the best and we will miss you!

Interested in working in Human Nature too? Give it a shot as an intern! Send your resume to gethired@humanheartnature.com or check out our Careers Page.