Salehe, Me and UVa Cap

Jacqueline Novograt’s The Blue Sweater in many ways was the final push for me to come to Africa.  But I never imagined I would have my own “Blue Sweater” moment.  Go here to read more about it!

On Sept 21st,  49 individuals came together in SF to begin the training for a  journey.  These individuals could not have been more different but for a desire they all shared. This desire is to engage themselves in the grassroots movement that is Kiva.  These 49 comprise the 9th class of Kiva Fellows (KF9) and will be spread across South America, Africa, the Middle East, Central Asia and Southeast Asia.  And I have the honor of being a part of this group. 

Like fellows before us, we have agreed to journey out onto the field to collect invaluable stories about the Kiva borrowers.  These stories can not be underestimated. They are the threads that tie the young Kiva community together and the source of transparency that many NGOs fail to provide.   

However, the role of the fellow extends far beyond storytelling. For the past week, we have undergone sessions about the many deliverables needed to be accomplished at our respective MFIs. For example, some tasks include revamping  journal updating procedures, verifying borrower information, and carrying out miscellaneous projects for the MFI.

The weeklong training laid the groundwork of what is to be expected of us.  But it was also an opportunity for the group to get to know each before heading for our separate ways.  For myself, I will be placed in Tanzania, one of only two who will be there. I’m extremely fortunate for the inspiring opportunity to the meet the Kiva staff and fellows.  By the end of the week, we were no longer 49 individuals, but KF9.

The story behind the title is enough for anyone to go “AHA”.  When she was a young girl, her uncle gave her a blue sweater that had a picture of Kilimanjaro in front of it. When she eventually outgrew it, it was donated to the local salvation army. It would have it that the journeys of  Novogratz and the blue sweater would eventually cross path a decade later in Rwanda – She, jogging along the dusty roads …It, covering the small frame of an African boy. 

The memoir is inspiring and raw.  From Rwanda to Rockefeller Foundation, Novogratz opens our eyes to a new approach on an old problem. Yet, she makes no compromises for the failures and tragedies that occured during her career.  It’s a great read, for anyone  interested in social enterpreneuership. It’s a must read, for those who have just taken their first step into this field.

The Rickshaw Run is a competition that tests the adventurist in each contestant. Participant will race along an undisclosed route around India for 2+ weeks on, you guessed it, a rickshaw.  And it’s also for a good cause.  Each team needs to raise £1000, which will go towards selected charities. Around 60 braves teams are going to pit it out this month, but I’ll be rooting for my friend Marcus on team Moksha Mobile.  You can follow their blog or tweets.   I’ve known Marcus since our study abroad in China, before he went to meditate in India for a year and before he started his own company.  He is truly exceptional.  Be safe and more importantly, have a blast dude!

Profit maximization is an age old assumption pervasive in most microeconomic textbooks and financial models, but is it time to relax that assumption?  Personally, the idea of blending bottom lines is exciting.  If free market economies have been proven to be the most sustainable, than perhaps it is time to let the invisible hand allocate resources to social causes. Of course, the current deterioration of the economy has certainly put the market based system into question.

It is heartening though to see the number of bright-eyed individuals interested in solving the world’s problems.  I recently attended a social enterprise conference where I met a number of like-minded individuals who were in some way involved in a social initiative.  It is still early to tell, but this just might be the movement that will define my generation.