Following the devastating Asian tsunami of 2004, Anoka came to realize the critical role that mangroves play in protecting coastal communities. Areas where mangroves were plentiful were 66 percent less likely to be destroyed. Anoka also recognized that to be successful, ecological projects must take into consideration the needs of community members to pursue viable livelihoods. Through Growin’ Money, a social enterprise, she and her team promote economic and environmental sustainability through replanting mangroves that are then used by community members to produce handicrafts, such as reed baskets and hand-painted boxes, and organic products. Now operating in Sri Lanka, India, Bangladesh, and Cambodia, Growin’ Money has, to date, replanted over 30,000 mangroves, sold over a million products, and benefited 15,000 people, with the household incomes of its beneficiaries increasing by 50 percent.

CURRENT UPDATES