As part of the IKEA Next Generation Leader program, I am taking on the role of Experience Partner through an assignment with Ashoka & IKEA Social Entrepreneurship.

Together with my thought partner, Kumiko, and Ryan and his team from Virtualahan—who support people with disabilities—we have been working to create meaningful impact in their home country.

Now, I have a homework assignment from the EDI Leader: to write a Haiku about our social entrepreneur. However, I take a freeform approach, making it easier to reflect on my journey with Virtualahan and the EDI (Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion) insights I have gathered along the way.

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What is it—EDI?

First, shift from the mind,

Through the lens of sights,

We make our own guide!

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Start with Equity—

More than equality,

For people with disabilities.

They carry a lot,

Can be seen or not*,

Still, we are their hope,

Beyond their own spot.

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How to feel included,

Without label clues,

Where we show our true.

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And Diversity—

Not just for the many,

That we can’t refuse.

A minor group, but major hooks—

Can’t be left to luck.

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When can people treat,

EDI as a commit,

We all can be fit,

More than just a speech.

Moral and ethical,

more than just verbal.

Every single stride,

Shaping our own mind.

Simple, right?

To be human-kind.

A human simply exists.

To be kind is to uplift,

to heal, and then to give.

And you know – THAT’S IT.

*There are different types of disabilities, including invisible ones that cannot be seen.

Virtulahan – Philippines: Home

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Thank you.