[Sub-Saharan Africa is home to more than 50 million orphaned children…and that number continues to rise. The discipline, transparency and integrity of a well-run social enterprise might actually curb the system-wide abuses in the current methods to address this longstanding crisis.]
East-West Disconnect
Frame Changers #152: Good Vaccine; Bad Spirit
[Coordination between health ministries, large non-profits, UN agencies, and small faith-based and community-based organizations is a perennial challenge. Excellent progress has been made in some countries in recent years by channeling all aid and resources through one of the parties.]
Frame Changers #146: Consultants Without Borders
Frame Changers #145: Modern Human Needs
[This is a modern take on Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs.]
Frame Changers #140: Bestsellers for Africa
[I wonder how many Africans actually read books on Fluid Mechanics, String Theory, or the Biology of Snails…and apply that knowledge to grow themselves, their families and communities? Have we asked them what books they would like to read?]
Frame Changers #135: Parable Of The Mexican Fisherman
[The parable of the Mexican fisherman delivers a really simple and important lesson on the purpose of life. A nice reminder in (Google CFO) Patrick Pichette’s resignation letter.]
Frame Changers #126: One Macbook Per Child?
[The One Laptop Per Child (OLPC) project is a classic example of a program tailored to the ambitions and assumptions of the funders than the real validated needs of the people and a solid business model. Regular PCs with Windows (so that people can install all the pirated software in the world) would likely have done better… though, I reckon, children would have preferred Macbook Airs.]
Frame Changers #124: Concepts Across Cultures
[Concepts don’t always travel across cultures. While “personal technology” in the western world typically refers to electronic gadgets like smartphones and wearable devices, it might have a very different interpretation and connotation in another culture.]
Frame Changers #111: Measles Travel Ban?
[While only ~91% of Americans are vaccinated against measles, the vaccination rate is almost 100% in 16 African countries. And, whether it is Ebola or Measles, travel bans hurt more than help.]
Frame Changers #110: Art Therapy
[Art as therapy has proven therapeutic value and can be especially helpful to marginalized populations that have experienced abuse or PTSD. At the same time, it is a little far-fetched to see art therapy programs claim that they are addressing basic needs. What’s the point of teaching people how to draw food?]