Sustainable Profit and Social Returns Under "OneRoof"

I recently learned about a for-profit company called OneRoof that is building franchises (and company owned stores) throughout India with the goal of delivering "essential services" to the rural poor.

"We identify, train and provide ongoing business support to entrepreneurs who run their own OneRoof stores. A typical OneRoof franchisee builds his or her business around our central IT service—internet access, computer courses, printing, digital photography. The franchisee then provides valued-added services such as eLearning/distance learning, financial services, e-ticketing, and eventually employment generation that can allow talented young people the choice to stay in their rural communities."

This is a great idea that not only creates jobs in rural areas (where the are often few is any non-agricultural opportunities), but also educates people and provides a real opportunity to move a step up from the bottom of the pyramid - a kind of "micro-franchise" if you will. I hope their success in India will be a model for other developing communities around the world.