• You are Not Smart Enough to Be Pessimistic
• Last Night I Applied for Food Stamps and an Abortion
• Sex in the City:  Last Night I Went to a NY Strip Club
• How I Raised $10,000 this Week
• Filex, an artist in Tanzania
• From 2 to 24 Striped Socks Behind Me
• Dynamic Distribution from the Factory Gates
• Getting Back to Living with HIV Instead of Dying from It
• Shit Business Brings Dignity
• A Screwtape Letter
• Female Circumcision
• Justice Like A Hot Dog
• My poem- An Invitation

A friend just emailed me about a very interesting approach to supporting girls in India.  The Indian Postal Service may soon start offering girl child insurance, whereby the girl gets Rs 1 lac ($2,500) at the age of 18 and some kind of conditional cash transfer to the parents for bringing up the girl and delaying marriage till after 18!  I hope this can start reversing some of the incentives for female child infanticide.  Click below to read more:

http://www.hindu.com/2006/12/19/stories/2006121902311100.htm

Things are not always what they seem at first glance.  Just a few days ago, a NASA space craft flew near Mercury, the closest planet to the sun, and discovered spider shaped evidence that past volcanic activity had occurred there.  This is a remarkable finding since it changes the way scientists have perceived the planet previously (thought only to be a cratery and rocky surface with little dynamism).  "We were continually surprised. It was not the planet we expected. It was not (like) the moon," said Sean Solomon of Carnegie Institution of Washington, the mission's lead investigator. "It's a very dynamic planet with an awful lot going on."

This was such a healthy reminder to me that one`s original impressions are sometimes mistaken and it is important to `circle around mysteries many times` to make new discoveries.  Social entrepreneurs are famous for discovering new ways to look at and address a social problem.    

Buuuurrrrrr!!!!!!!

Switzerland has about 1800 glaciers and although at first glance they may appear magnificent, almost all of them are losing ground because of climate change.  If you would have circled around the Aletsch glacier, you might have been lucky enough (or unlucky depending on which view) to catch a glimpse of hundreds of naked bodies recently!  That’s right, this freezing cold striptease orchestrated by artist Spencer Tunick was a part of a Greenpeace campaign to raise awareness of global warming.  They wanted to "establish a symbolic relationship between the vulnerability of the melting glacier and the human body".  According to them, Alpine glaciers have lost about one-third of their length and half their volume over the past 150 years. The Aletsch ice mass has retreated by 115 metres in the last two years alone.    

Yes, in my time I have been known to hang around with trouble makers.  A few weeks ago, I was in Tijuana, Mexico with an inspiring team making trouble for poverty.  There is an amazing Mexican company called Mi Farmacita, lead by Guillermo Krasovsky, which aims to bring affordable health services to low-income communities using an innovative franchise pharmacy model and minute-clinic style doctor`s office.  In Mexico, the poor distribution of generic drugs means that low-income communities often do not have access to affordable medicines for common ills such as flu, allergies, arthritis, and they often wait many weeks to see a doctor if at all.  Mi Farmacita is changing that!  Not only are there now quality health services (doctors ad generic drugs) in these communities, Mi Farmacita outlets also sell services such as purified water, phone services and Internet time.  They now have nearly 80 franchisees throughout Mexico.  The 16 franchises that have been in operation for at least 22 months process about 90 sales transactions daily, or 2,400 monthly, and sales across the franchise’s 57 outlets totaled more than US$2.9 million in 2006.  Their growth potential in phenomenal. 

To learn more about their full model, you can read the WRI case study which is quite comprehensive by clicking here.

Guillermo has an entrepreneurial spirit like no other and his passion for helping low-income people in Mexico radiates in the video below: 

Our world is constantly changing.  We are closer and closer to each other although we may live thousands of miles away.  One of the most fascinating examples of this to me is how social ventures are leveraging the Internet to engage the global community in raising resources to support their mission.  We are seeing new platforms for peer-to-peer online lending such as Zopa, Prosper or RangDe in India.  We are also seeing exciting developments of online platforms to raise capital for microfinance institutions and micro-business owners such as Microplace, Kiva and 51Give in China.

So, I was encouraged when I heard recently about a new venture in beta testing which is focused on Africa, called MyC4. MyC4 is an online community which provides a dynamic platform to create and support new enterprises and commercial innovation in Africa.  The vision of the site is to end poverty, and MyC4 has a strict selection process which identifies entrepreneurs looking to develop companies that provide healthy economic prospects for growth.  The screened entrepreneurs then post their ideas labelled as an Opportunity online so that visitors to the MyC4 website can bid on (to invest in) any open Opportunity on MyC4. The bidding process is based on a ’Dutch’ auction which basically means, the more people that are interested in investing, the more favourable the terms (e.g. interest rate) become for the African business.  Check it out and give them feedback on the beta by clicking here: http://www.myc4.com/

Some of you may remember me announcing the application process for the Believe Begin Become Business Plan competition in Tanzania, sponsored by Google.org and managed by Technoserve.  It is an incentivized, practical training and business development program to help entrepreneurs turn their business ideas into fundable and implementable business plans.  It turns out that it has been a smashing success and the final winners have posted their ideas via video online.  

Here are two examples of the 20 final winners:

You can find others here:  http://www.youtube.com/believebeginbecome

I met these guys last week and thought this might be helpful to those of you looking for funding:  Investors’ Circle (IC) is now accepting company applications for its 2008 Spring Venture Fair, which will be held May 6th at the Hotel Nikko in San Francisco.  IC seeks to feature the next generation of sustainable, mission-driven ventures at this event. Ventures with a focus in the following sectors are encouraged to apply: Energy & Environment, Food & Organics, Health & Wellness, Education, Media, and Community & International Development.

In the past 3 years, IC venture fairs have resulted in over $20 million in investment for approximately 1/3 of presenting ventures. Sample investments include Guayaki, IceStone, Indigenous Designs, PeaceKeeper Cause-Metics, Niman Ranch, and United Villages.

To apply, companies will need to submit an electronic application through the IC website by going to http://www.investorscircle.net. The deadline to submit an application is February 1st.

At the European Venture Philanthropy Association conference in Madrid last month, I met an interesting social entrepreneur named Andreas Heinecke.  He is passionate about overcoming the barriers between “us” and “them” and creates exchange platforms that immerse people in worlds very different from their own. 

I have heard great things about one of his platforms called “Dialogue in the Dark” where participants are guided by blind people to experience an exhibit of darkness incorporating various communication interactions.  He has incorporated this at places such as the World Economic Forum where powerful leaders from around the world communicated in the dark and could not rely on visual communication.  “Dialogue in the Dark” has allowed over 4 million people in 19 countries the experience of being out of sight for an hour, several hours, or longer.  (Although there is no comparison, some friends from Acumen Fund and I went to dark dining at a restaurant in NY where we were blindfolded our entire meal. It really was a good way to put yourself in the realities of the blind).

So when I met Andreas last month, he told me about a new invention of his called “Scenes of Silence” here where I live in Geneva.  I went to check it out and found it quite interesting—for 50 minutes, we were led by a deaf person as our guide into various rooms with exhibits that help teach you to communicate without using sound.  There is even a little silent bar where you can sit with others and have a drink while communicating on an electronic screen.  It was fun, so I recommend it to others who may be visiting Geneva soon.

When it comes to fashion, there is an exciting wave of social enterprises pushing the boundaries to spark responsible, ethical and fair trade consumerism.  And not a minute too soon... I watched a news report the other day on yet ANOTHER sweatshop allegation for the fashion company, the Gap.  Britain's Observer went undercover in Delhi, India finding Gap suppliers using children between ages 10 and 13 in conditions “close to slavery.” 

Anyone who has seen the film, Mardi Gras: Made in China, has been confronted with the inequalities of globalization as the the film humanizes the commodity chain from China to the United States. It follows young workers from the largest Mardi Gras bead factory in the world, providing insights into their economic realities, self-sacrifice, and dreams of a better life, and the severe discipline imposed by living and working in a factory compound.  Flashing video from Mardi Gras festivities, the film opens the blind eye of consumerism by visually introducing workers and festival-goers to each other.  To watch the excerpts of the film, click here.

Bringing the producer and consumer closer to understanding each others realities is powerful.  Two companies I have learned about recently are giving consumers that powerful choice to get quality fashion AND improve the lives of the producer.

MADE, is a company producing jewelry and accessories.  All MADE products are designed by influential designers, then sourced and created within disadvantaged communities across East Africa.  Following the principles of fair trade they train local artisans in new skills, providing fair wages and support at every level.

People Tree has been pioneering Fair Trade Fashion for a decade with market share in Japan and the UK.  People Tree works with some of the most marginalized people in the world by supporting 50 Fair Trade groups in 15 countries who are growing cotton, weaving, dyeing, embroidery, stitching etc.   They have top notch designers and have ecologically sound methods of production to minimize environmental impact.

Neither of these companies are charities.  These are businesses providing the consumers with fashionable products while helping to break the cycle of poverty and empower producers.  Good resources for your holiday shopping!
 

Many of us are asking ourselves, "how much is enough and what do I need?  What really makes me happy?"  We know we complicate our lives with consumerism and the comforts of “more”, but somehow seem trapped in it.  I’ve been fascinated by the buzz about Happiness research over the last two years which compares data on wealth, education and marital status with results of happiness surveys.  What they are discovering (surprise, surprise) is that money actually doesn’t make you happy, but in fact, relationships and social interaction have a much higher correlation with happiness.   

As the holiday season comes into play, I thought you all would enjoy this video called “What about me.”  

Much more to come on this happiness topic…

When I was in Kenya a few months ago, my friend Wendy Mukuru handed me an article in the Sunday Nation newspaper that was really powerful. The article was titled, “Being Poor in Kenya: a life of insults.”   The author, Sunny Bindra,  paints the picture of life being poor and opens up with: ‘Who would anyone want to be poor in Kenya? We treat the poor no better than chewing-gum stuck to our shoes.’

He goes on to describe the hardships of falling ill and navigating your way through a system when you are poor.  He continues with:

“Poverty is Problem Number One in Kenya. We can lose ourselves in all the fancy discourse we like; it doesn’t go away. The chattering classes can analyse the likely political scenarios in December; they can discuss how many tourists are coming to Kenya this year; they can have forthright debates on Tony Blair’s legacy…  If they lifted their noses from their glasses and closed their mouths for a moment, they would see that they are a tiny minority, an affluent little island of fun surrounded by a heaving, seething sea of abject misery…There is no easy answer to this problem. A certain amount of poverty is inevitable, after all. But to strip a large part of the population of all esteem is inhuman and unforgivable.

The causes of poverty are complex; its solutions have many dimensions. Better health, better education, better opportunities are pre-requisites. A thoughtful approach to economic participation is necessary... But more concern, more awareness, more sensitivity is within each person’s grasp. A poor person is just you with less money. Step one is to realise this”.

He points to a few important things.  One is the simple “I am you.  You are me” philosophy that if we can put ourselves in the shoes of others, all benefit (even if we think we are better off).  His other point is why I believe in the market-based approach as one strategy to solving poverty- it brings dignity and voice to the poor, who are producers and consumers in their own right.  They are the ones who know what they need and want most—so mechanisms which help producers and providers understand the needs and true realities of their experiences are the most powerful mechanisms to change.

To read the full article, click here.

I then came across a very cool video on Youtube about two men in Nairobi who are providing a mobile phone service from their wheelchairs.  I have no idea if this is legit, but I loved the idea as it represents so many creative ways that people are making a life and income for themselves.

One of the most interesting social enterprises I learned about in Tanzania was APOPO.  Apopo trains sniffer rats to detect explosives and diagnose disease. This unusual idea has been developed into a competitive technology by a group of Belgian and Tanzanian researchers and animal trainers.  What an exciting solution because as many of you know, dangerous landmines are a significant issue in many countries and detection processes can be slow and expensive.  In addition to the landmines, rats are now being used to sniff out tuberculosis.  Below you can find a short video describing their work in detecting mines left over from the Mozambique civil war.

A new site was launched last week that I have really found interesting.  The MDG Monitor shows how countries are progressing in their efforts to achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). With the 2015 target date fast approaching, it is more important than ever to understand where the goals are on track, and where additional efforts and support are needed, both globally and at the country level.

The MDG Monitor is designed as a tool for policymakers, development practitioners, journalists, students and others to:
TRACK progress through interactive maps and country-specific profiles
LEARN about countries' challenges and achievements and get the latest news
SUPPORT organizations working on the MDGs around the world

...on another related exciting note, the World Bank also released the African Indicators Report on Wed, which showed that several African economies are now showing signs of the positive growth needed to end decades of poverty, poor growth and stagnation in the continent.  African countries had recorded strong growth between 1995-2005, reversing the trend of economic collapses and stagnation between 1975-1995.

When I moved to Geneva recently, I was quite shocked (and I must admit, entertained) at the sight of a recent controversial political campaign poster.  As you can see, there is a white sheep standing on the Swiss flag, kicking the black sheep off.   The largest political party, the Swiss People’s Party, created this poster to drive home their election platform against immigration.  Now this sure didn’t make me feel any more welcome, and it certainly made me consider the aftermath of this for many legal, law abiding immigrants in any county who usually are important forces in supporting the economy in many ways for generations to come. 

Don’t the other white sheep look bored in this poster? 

So, I was glad to get a phone call from David several days later, who founded the Tennessee Immigrant & Refugee Rights Coalition (TIRR) http://www.tnimmigrant.org   For eight years, David has been working to try to build bridges between immigrants and native-born Tennesseans. The purpose- to build a welcoming environment for immigrants and prevent a resurgence in the kind of racism we saw in the Jim-Crow, segregationist South. Immigration brings out fears, and fears lead to intolerance and xenophobia if not addressed.

According to him (and the obvious example above), the same fears experienced in the South are growing in Europe.  So, he has been developing tools that bring together people who thought they were anti-immigrant with immigrants themselves.

TIRRC has a project called "Welcoming Tennessee" which is half public relations campaign, half community organizing campaign. The goal- change people's hearts and minds about immigrants and then demonstrate with scientific polling that you have improved the climate for immigrants in a specific geographical area. This program is becoming a national model in the U.S., and from my conversation with David, he would like to export this to Europe.  Would be cool to come back to Switzerland down the road and have the major party with campaign posters that have the black sheep and white sheep together drinking tea.

They were both a part of a group of seven people with disabilities who were hiking the 5895 meter tall mountain. A French company was making a documentary on extraordinary people and they used over 170 porters for a 21 day trek. Seeing the wheelchair reminded me of a great organization once supported while I was at Skoll Foundation, called Whirlwind Women, which empowers women to repair and make their own wheelchairs. I wondered who had made this man`s sporty wheelchair which made its way over the rough terrain so well. He used his arms to peddle the chair and a person pulled him with ropes in front while another pushed the chair as well.

When we arrived at camp with the man in a wheelchair everyone was singing and dancing in celebration of his success for the day. It was great perspective and inspiration for me.

My fellow trekkers (Tanya, Jacob and Tom) and I also sang some songs on the way up Kili, including a common Kiswahili song known as the Jambo Song. While in Tanzania, we decided to have some fun and support a small recording studio managed by my friend Alex, where we recorded a CD of ourselves singing the Jambo Song.

CLICK on the player to listen to this song, or on the link below to download the audio file to your desktop.

Get the Flash Player to see this player.

Download the Song

As I have reported on this year, AtoZ in Tanzania has been experimenting with private market distribution of mosquito nets, which has entailed partnerships with organizations doing social marketing.  The NY Times highlighted the debate, slashing the idea that social marketing is having an impact on malaria.  Click the link below to review:

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/09/health/09nets.html

We were sitting in a circle, some on logs, some on chairs or on the dirt under the banana trees.  If it weren’t for the chickens running around and the occasional “moo” of a hungry cow, one might have thought that we were in the Supreme Court.  One by one, young and old, people got up to share their opinions, and I couldn’t take my eyes off some of the most eloquent and poised speakers I have ever seen. 

I had the unique privilege of attending the Boma Meeting of a Maasai family.  The Maasai are one of the most traditional tribes in all of Africa, and as pastoral people traditionally, they typically live with several generations of family members together in a group of homes called the Boma.

When a Boma meeting is called, it is Chaired by an elder and usually attended by all members of the family.  It is one of the most fascinating communal problem solving processes I could ever imagine.  This particular meeting was attended by more than forty members of the family and was convened for two reasons.