Contradictions, Complications, Juxtapositions, and Genocide

It’s easier to make sense of Rwanda if you erase the human element of the Genocide that happened here fifteen years ago. If we could just pretend it wasn’t actual people who perpetrated the one million unthinkable acts, it would simplify the dynamics of the country. Afterall, if we acknowledge that it was not only [...]

How Do You Run a Shop in a Neighborhood with No Cash?

I’ve always been curious about what happens when microfinance clients open businesses in places where there is very little capital. Many operate small shops of household necessities but the placement of such stores is generally based more on proximity to home than a strategic evaluation of which part of town is most profitable. [...]

Profit: A Tricky Subject

Today I made a post on the general Kiva Fellows’ blog. I’ll spare you from a re-post here so that those of you less interested in the professional aspect of my life don’t feel forced to read it. For those of you who want to know why the word “profit” is so often [...]

Head of the Class Meets Head of the Household

Every month, Kiva sends an electronic newsletter to its 400,000+ users.  In each newsletter is an article by a Fellow about a client he or she has met in the field. This month, I wrote the feature article. As many of you don’t receive the newsletter, I wanted to share my story with [...]

There’s No Such Thing as a Routine Commute

I’ve gotten in the habit of saying ‘hello’ to everyone I see. It is the only strategy I have come up with that successfully mitigates the stares that I receive from just about everyone, and I enjoy the surprised smiles and return greetings I get when the gawkers see that I am able to [...]

Another Look at Training Staff

I recently posted to the general Kiva Fellows’ Blog about some of my experiences as a trainer over the past 6 months. I know that I have already covered (quite thoroughly, some would say) my work as a trainer at BRAC Tanzania, but if you’re aching for more, check it out here.
Stay tuned for [...]

An Attempt at Brevity (does it work for me?)

The comparisons/contrasts between Rwanda and Tanzania, Vision Finance Company, S.A. (a partner of World Vision International) and BRAC Tanzania are plentiful enough to merit a blog entry of their own.  Perhaps some day I’ll get to that.  In the meantime, I’d like to give you a bit of background on VFC. Rather than write [...]