Category Archives: Social Enterprise
The Convergence: America’s Long Arc of Development
The following is a four-part post about the phases of the economic development of nations – pre-industrial, industrial, post-industrial – and a discussion of the current state of affairs in the United States and the world. Part I: How Countries … Continue reading
The Ethical Obligations of Writing About Poverty and Conflict
I. A Long Way Gone The other day I finished reading “A Long Way Gone”, the autobiography of Ishmael Beah, a child soldier during the country’s civil in the 1990’s. After his village was attacked by the rebel army known … Continue reading
Develop Economies is On Hold
Given that it has been almost two months since my last post, I owe my loyal readers an explanation for my conspicuous absence and the dearth of posts since the summer. I am currently in graduate school, pursuing a master’s … Continue reading
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Technology Sea Changes: Re:Char and Kiva Zip
Product design is all the rage in poverty alleviation, and has been for the past few years. By applying the principles of lean manufacturing and waste minimization to the challenge of designing products for people living on less than a … Continue reading
The Promise of Social Impact Bonds
Over the past few weeks, social impact bonds have received a lot of attention. That is because New York City has partnered with Goldman Sachs to run a pilot program aimed at reducing recidivism among inmates at Rikers Island prison. … Continue reading
The Top Three Social Enterprises in the World
A year ago, I was sitting at the iHub in Kenya, analyzing thousands of payments made by parents of students at Bridge International Academies, trying to identify potential leading indicators of withdrawal, when Kentaro Toyama, the founder and director of … Continue reading
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What Do I Think of Social Enterprise?
In the last five posts, I have described in detail how Bridge International Academies has created a scalable model that can profitably serve the poorest segments of the population. They use data to make decisions, processes to ensure quality, and … Continue reading
Should You Pay a Bribe?
Around the world, money talks. In some places, it speaks in a whisper; in others, it is like your humble correspondent at a party after one too many dark and stoney’s – loud and obnoxious. And in Kenya, many, if … Continue reading
Posted in Development Economics, Social Enterprise
Tagged bribery, corruption, corruption in kenya
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A Trip to Bridge International Academies
After one year living in Kenya, my time here is fast approaching its end. In a few weeks, I finish work with Bridge International Academies. I am heading to Southeast Asia for a few weeks of rest and relaxation before … Continue reading
Non-Profit Career Advice: Urban Development
This is the first post in an ongoing series offering advice to people interested in learning more about international development work. Mandy Goodgoll, a Masters Candidate in International Affairs at the New School, offers advice on urban development in developing countries and … Continue reading
