Staples social entrepreneur contest names winners

(Photo: Julie Carney)

The cofounders of Gardens for Health International, which provides nutritional support and economic empowerment to HIV-positive individuals in Rwanda, are the global winners of a "Youth Social Entrepreneur" competition sponsored by Staples Inc.'s Foundation for Learning and Ashoka, a community of social entrepreneurs.

Staples is a Framingham-based retailer of office supplies.

Staples said in a press release, "The Staples 'Youth Social Entrepreneur' Competition, created on Ashoka's Changemakers' platform, asked young people around the world to showcase how their projects are leading positive change and making an impact within their communities."

As a result of winning the competition, Emma Clippinger and Emily Morellare, cofounders of Gardens for Health International, "will receive $5,000 worth of Staples products to help run their entrepreneurial venture," Staples said. "The suite of products includes a laptop, digital camera, printer, and essential office supplies."

The photo above this story was taken in Rwanda and provided by Staples. It shows Morrell on the left and Clippinger on the right. Clippinger is from Cambridge, Morell from Oakland, Calif., Staples said.
(By Chris Reidy, Globe staff)