Empowering Communities: The LemonAid & ChariTea Story

In this powerful episode of Harvesting Wisdom, host Mike McMahon sits down in Hamburg with Aileen Puhlmann, a dynamic leader at the LemonAid & ChariTea Foundation. Together they unpack how a beverage company channels its success into a social enterprise model that funds grassroots organizations around the world. Aileen shares her journey from Ghana and Germany to South Africa, her deep sense of justice, and the foundation’s focus on empowering local communities through entrepreneurship, education, and sustainable livelihoods. This heartfelt conversation explores why small, intentional acts can lead to global transformation and challenges listeners to ask themselves: Why bother?

Why Listen?
At Harvesting Wisdom, we believe “We have all taken a bite out of the apple.” This episode challenges apathy and inspires action. Hear how one organization’s unique model proves you can build a successful business and invest in global justice. Learn how empowering local leaders and communities creates lasting social footprints. If you’ve ever wondered how your choices ripple outwards, this episode offers a roadmap for meaningful change.

Time Stamps:

00:01:03 – Aileen’s journey from Ghana and Germany to South Africa

00:03:37 – The power of childlike logic in addressing injustice

00:06:33 – Why bother? Finding personal purpose in global action

00:10:14 – Building a sustainable product and ethical supply chain

00:17:22 – LemonAid & ChariTea’s mission: sustainable livelihoods for all

00:20:04 – Ingredients from 7 countries and their global impact

00:23:39 – The importance of funding local organizations directly

00:27:50 – Scaling impact without becoming a multinational NGO

00:36:12 – Inspiring other companies to adopt similar models

00:44:50 – Unlocking the volunteer potential in every person

00:47:11 – Closing thoughts on collective responsibility and small acts

Call to Action:
Join the movement. Listen, share, and subscribe to Harvesting Wisdom. Visit weareufe.org to learn how you can help close the gap between information and action. Leave a social footprint by supporting community-driven sustainability projects. Together, we can cultivate a climate-smart future.

Website: 
https://lemonaid-charitea-ev.org/

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