From a Quest for Soft Shell Crab in Myanmar to Empowering Livelihoods in a Small Border Town: “People Feeding People"
On November 20th, 2018, Raju Selvan, co-founder of Black-fin Seafood and owner of Tuna Paradise in Phuket, ventured to Myanmar searching for a soft shell crab farm and factory for sourcing purposes.
After meeting at the airport, Raju and Zaw traveled to a small town about two hours drive from Yangoon airport and met Pastor Jonathon Ling. Jonathan oversees a children's home in the vicinity, where his own three children reside, coexist, and thrive alongside over 50 other children under his compassionate care.
While staying in Myanmar, Raju wanted to immerse himself in the local lifestyle and cuisine. Venturing to a nearby local market, he and his team settled onto small chairs, excited to experience the local lifestyle.
It was during this moment that a young boy approached, gently tapping Raju on the shoulder, earnestly requesting food. As Raju turned, he found himself locking eyes with the boy, struck by an uncanny resemblance to his own son of a similar age. This child was living in the streets with a group of kids, leaving a lasting impression on Raju.
Raju was stunned, watching as the stall keepers 'shooed away' the boy and urged him to disregard their pleas. Yet, his heart raced, refusing to ignore the encounter. He simply couldn't shake the question of why this child was on the streets so he shared his concern with his team. 'Guys, let's find those kids and make sure they all have a meal.' Together, they walked down the street until they found the group of children at the far end, playing amidst their hunger and grime, their smiles resilient. Taking them to a nearby grocery store, Raju and his team encouraged them to pick whatever and however much they desired. They eagerly gathered items and carried them back to where they lived.
The following day, Raju paid a visit to Jonathon's home, where he dedicatedly cares for homeless children. During this visit, Raju witnessed firsthand the living conditions of these children and engaged in a heartfelt conversation with Jonathon about his mission and the driving force behind his work. Raju recounted the stories of the children he had encountered the previous night and inquired if there was a possibility of providing shelter for them.
However, Jonathon expressed his ongoing financial struggles in providing sustenance for the children already under his care. Eager to lend support and become involved in Jonathon's noble cause, Raju wondered, "How can we contribute to their well-being sustainably?" The very next day, together with his friend Zaw, they ventured to a nearby store in the city, purchasing mattresses, rice, groceries, and a local delicacy called biryani, which is considered a local “luxury food” that they were able to enjoy with the children at the park. They also brought this truckload of suppliers to father Jonathon's house, where they spent time with the children, inspiring them to persist in their studies and pursuit of knowledge. During this interaction, Raju was able to share images of his company, Tuna Paradise, and expressed to them the possibility of one day joining his team in Thailand to work at the plant. It was about giving them something to anticipate—a vision of opportunity and a job awaiting them in the future.
While at the park, Raju was moved when he spotted two boys walking in a hug ahead of him. Their bond inspired him so deeply that he captured a photo, a moment that would later spark the creation of the "People Feeding People" logo.
Upon Raju's return to Thailand, the People Feeding People initiative began modestly, initially providing only a few hundred meals. However, since its inception, the program has steadily expanded. To scale its impact, the focus shifted towards producing canned tuna—an easily transportable, storable, and nutritious protein source for the children in need. So far, they have distributed 6,000 cans of tuna and are currently in the process of crafting the next batch infused with local flavors. Varieties like Massaman curry, Panang curry, and green curry will enhance the nutritional value and appeal of the meals for the children we aim to support.
This work is of particular importance as Myanmar is currently in a civil war. Since the coup, the conflicts have resulted in the internal displacement of nearly 1 million individuals, while an additional 70,000 have sought refuge in neighboring countries. Families and children being the most vulnerable, our efforts provide aid and support to those affected by these distressing circumstances.
Raju's dedication to the cause remains unwavering through the partnership with Black-fin Seafood Company. For every box of fish they sell, Black-Fin Seafood has pledged to provide a meal for a hungry child lacking parental support. The shared mission is to empower consumers, urging them to choose Black-Fin Seafood as a means to effect change. Thanks to this partnership, as of October 2023, Black-Fin Seafood sales will help provide 11,238 meals. The company takes immense pride in serving as a platform for individuals to wield their power to feed those in need, fostering a positive global impact through their choices.
ABOUT RAJU SELVAN
Raju Selvan, picture with his son Caleb and wife Merlisa, serves as a volunteer pastor at Seed International Church in Phuket. He strongly believes that his business represents a significant part of his ministry and calling. His primary aim is to provide stable employment opportunities to the unemployed and offer them training to sustain themselves and enhance the quality of life for their families, particularly those from Myanmar, many of whom lack formal education. Raju and his team cover a broad spectrum of teachings, from basic numeracy skills to computer literacy, ensuring comprehensive training in their respective fields until they achieve expertise.
Remarkably, most of the individuals they support had never owned personal bank accounts before. Raju's organization facilitates the process of acquiring passports, bank books, work permits, visas, and imparts the necessary skills to their staff. Additionally, they've enlisted supervisors and managers from Thailand, experts in food science and food safety, to oversee continuous team training.
On Thursday nights, they host a voluntary Bible study group focused on deepening understanding of the Bible, Jesus, and deriving life principles from its teachings. This study is optional and aims to impart life skills alongside spiritual growth. Although their organization is non-religious and welcomes individuals from diverse faiths such as Buddhism, Islam, Hinduism, and others, Raju personally identifies as a Christian. He attributes his blessings to the Lord and desires to share these blessings with others while he can.
Seafood Industry Veteran Doug Brinsmade Launches a Joint Venture with his partner Raju Selvan in Thailand to create Black-Fin Seafood Company, Pioneering Ethical Sourcing and Traceability in the Tuna Business
Austin, October 17, 2023 – Doug Brinsmade, a respected figure in the seafood industry and the founder of What the Fish, has returned to the tuna business as the co-founder of Black-Fin Seafood Company. With an illustrious career in the seafood industry and a deep-rooted passion for responsible sourcing, Doug Brinsmade brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to this new venture.
Brinsmade's career spans decades and includes significant roles with reputable organizations such as Fortune Fish, and The Fishin' Co and owned and started Anova Food in the USA. His expertise encompasses product development, seafood processing, and sourcing, with a rich background in sourcing seafood from various regions globally, including Asia, Africa, Europe, and the United States. Over the years, he has played a pivotal role in implementing marketing plans, introducing innovative products, processing techniques, and industry-standard technologies.
Doug is partnering with Raju Selvan, who joins as a co-founder of Black-Fin Seafood. With a remarkable track record spanning more than two decades in the seafood industry, Raju is a seasoned professio1nal deeply committed to the principles of ethical sourcing and sustainable production. He owns and manages factories across various regions in Asia, including Thailand, Indonesia, and India. Directly collaborating with fishermen and fishing vessels, he ensures the highest standards of food safety and possesses specialized expertise in tuna production.
Passionate about social responsibility, Raju prioritizes community support and education. Committed to uplifting individuals, particularly from Myanmar and Thailand, with limited educational opportunities, he works towards providing jobs and essential skills. His ethos centers around the belief that 'our people are our strongest resource.' Infused with love for people and their work, Raju emphasizes sustainability, advocating for actions today that secure abundant food sources for future generations. “I am genuinely thrilled to team up with Doug, as I firmly believe that our partnership will translate our shared vision into reality. Together, we aspire to create a world where people nourish one another in a sustainable and enduring manner,” he added.
Black-Fin Seafood Company is dedicated to sustainable seafood sourcing, emphasizing values such as sustainability, food safety, business ethics, and exceptional customer service. As part of their commitment to giving back, they have partnered with the “People Feeding People” program. For every box of fish sold, Black-Fin Seafood Company pledges to provide one meal for a hungry child who does not have a parent to lean on. The mission is to empower consumers to make a difference by choosing Black-Fin Seafood, as they take pride in being a platform for individuals to exercise their power to feed someone in need and create a positive impact on the world.
"I am excited to be back in the tuna business, helping Black-Fin Seafood lead the way in ethical sourcing and traceability through our work with ThisFish, a seafood traceability software called 'Tally,'" stated Doug Brinsmade, co-founder of Black-Fin Seafood Company.
Black-Fin Seafood Company is setting a new standard in the seafood industry by prioritizing responsible sourcing and traceability, ensuring that consumers can make informed and ethical choices. With a passionate and experienced team at its helm, the company is dedicated to promoting sustainability, responsible business practices, and social impact, making a meaningful difference in the lives of those less fortunate.