Bringing about fullness of life with care and compassion: Learnings from the social enterprise of the Good Shepherd Sisters

• Main Author: Lunar, Julius B.
• Format: text
• Published: Animo Repository 2017
• Subjects: Business; Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations; Social and Behavioral Sciences; Social Work
• Online Access: https://animorepository.dlsu.edu.ph/res_cbrd/22; https://animorepository.dlsu.edu.ph/context/res_cbrd/article/1038/viewcontent/DLSU_CBRD_Business_Notes_and_Briefings_Volume_5_Number_6.pdf
• Institution: De La Salle University

One of the principles of the Church’s social teachings is integral human development. In his encyclical, Populorum Progressio, Pope Paul VI stated that “authentic human development is the development of the whole human being and of all human beings.” The importance of individuals as human beings is also rooted in the conviction of St. Mary Euphrasia Pelletier, foundress of the Good Shepherd Sisters, who kept reminding her daughters that “a person is of more value than the whole world.” The Integral Human Development Approach guides the business model of the Mountain Maid Training Center (MMTC) in Baguio, which is a food processing and income- generating enterprise operated and maintained by the Religious of Good Shepherd (RGS) in the Philippines. The enterprise brings into reality RGS’ mission by providing work to the economically disadvantaged, supporting the college education and technical training of the youth, and sharing the Word of God in many communities. In addition, MMTC forms its stakeholders into wholesome and morally upright individuals. Aside from skills development and training, MMTC also gives emphasis on developing good habits of industry, honesty, responsibility, teamwork, and commitment to duty. The business model of the RGS can provide an alternative management framework for business students and teachers, and entrepreneurs.