Posts Tagged ‘keza’
Not Another America
Fortunately, due to the endless flow of information via the Internet and the ease of travel, the world is becoming more and more aware of the long-term destructive effects of handouts and traditional aid programs. Aid agencies and humanitarians have begun to embrace the concept of “teaching a man to fish”, rather than giving him…
Read MoreLiberation Philanthropy
I’m a firm believer that we all have a choice. We make choices every second of our lives that determine our reality. Ultimately, we all do exactly what we want; it’s just a matter of how badly we want it. But does a child growing up in the inner city in Chicago or Compton understand…
Read MoreWhat Will Be My Life
In March 2006, I dropped everything in Nashville (TN) and moved to Kigali, Rwanda to pursue my dream of developing businesses that would foster an image of beauty and excellence for Africa. About two weeks into it, I met Francois Murengerantwari. He was an 11 year old street kid, selling some odds and ends at…
Read MoreImpact or Accolades
When we operated in Rwanda, people were chomping at the bit to come and work with us. Why? Rwanda has been a hotbed for conflict (in the past). It’s right next to the DRC, another hot zone. These places are sexy to budding activists. Those that work in these areas are regarded as better, more…
Read MoreBut It’s Not for the Right Reasons…
Celebrity philanthropy is quite a hot topic these days. They have their share of haters, but overall, I support their decision to leverage their finances, time and influence for altruism, no matter their reason for doing it. I’m not real choosey about who wants to be a philanthropist or why. I have more complaints about…
Read MoreIf I Want to do More?
Clients that come to me wanting to do more than just support an already existing charity, often ask me about starting their own charity or social venture that would serve a developing country. I typically have one standard reply. If you want to serve a developing country (or group of people), you’ve got two choices.…
Read MoreWho Needs Celebrity Philanthropy?
The masses continuously lambast the likes of Angelina Jolie, Brad Pitt and Bono, complaining about their incessant philanthropic focus and how it only serves to bolster their careers. Why are these celebrities using their star power to generate millions of dollars for charity and garner backing from influential political leaders when they could just keep…
Read MoreFair or Great?
Over the last decade, we’ve seen a significant increase in the Fair Trade movement. In Kenya, the topic comes up daily. “Are you Fair Trade certified?” “No.” The developed world’s habit of mass consumption, starting back in 1920 with the Industrial Revolution, has resulted in an epidemic of inhumane working conditions, inferior products and damage…
Read MorePossibility or Threat?
A possibility is not the same as a threat. It’s possible you could have a terrible car wreck on the way to work today. It’s possible you might get mugged or say the wrong thing. It’s also possible for you to jump off an eight story building or eat a piece of garbage on purpose.…
Read MoreSqueaky Doors
I’m a noticer. I notice the nuances of life that most others wouldn’t pay any attention to. I think the nuances of one’s life speak volumes about character, habits, desires and fears. When I visit someone’s home and notice a squeaky door or something of that nature, I think to myself “ok, someone please find…
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