Posts Tagged ‘mombasa’
And So We Leap
AND SO WE LEAP AND SO WE LEAP We all know what it’s like to dream that life could be better. Some spend their lives dreaming, and never actualizing them. Others take big swings from time to time. Some are tormented by their lack of courage to follow their dreams. And others are expert dream…
Read MoreThe Year of Your Perspective Bank
At our core, I believe each of us operates according to our perspective. Our beliefs, judgments, actions, inactions, fears, loves, desires and infatuations are founded in our perspective. Each of us has an perspective bank full of experiences that happened to us or that we specifically sought out. We don’t choose the environment we…
Read MoreClear Eyes & Open Hearts
In 2006, I gave away everything I owned, left my partnership at the private equity firm and transplanted myself to Rwanda. I wanted to reinvent myself through new experiences and become more of who I wanted to be. To say that my time in East Africa {Rwanda, DRC, Uganda, Kenya} involved some difficult times would…
Read MoreOnly As Big As You Make It
There are certainly many habits that make me who I am. I diligently work at being deliberate about all aspects of life and I think that’s a fundamental must. Then I work to create solid habits from that foundation. Everyone struggles, to some degree, with fear, stress, lack of confidence and various other worries. Then…
Read MoreAppreciating The Unexplained
The more I experience life, the more I appreciate the unexplainable. I’ve been trying to teach Francois some of the nuances of the love I feel for my wife. Not an easy task, especially when explaining to an 18-year-old Rwandan boy from the village that’s never experienced love. When he asked me what it’s like…
Read MorePriorities & Perspective
As 2011 has come to a close, my mind has been dwelling more on society’s perspective and priorities. The developed world has created a completely different and unnatural reality and worked diligently to convince society that this way is the only way. And I certainly see the ripple effect even here in Kenya. It’s fueled…
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 MoreTHE INDUSTRY OF AID: Charity or Business?
Giving to a charity feels good. If you were raised in America or the UK, you’re likely very comfortable and familiar with giving to various causes. It’s part of the fabric of modern developed society. We know there is a need for charity work, especially in developing regions like Africa. We need emergency food, access…
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…
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