To the World you may be one person, but to one person you may be the World.

Don't ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive, and go do it. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive. - Howard Thurman (from www.charityfocus.org web site)

Today’s stories are about four common people like us who applied Out of the Box Thinking in the fields of Economics and Technology to make significant positive difference in lives of millions around the world. This can happen only with “Us Involved.” Stories #2 and # 3 are from the Silicon Valley High Tech world.

1. In 1976, during visits to the poorest households in the village of Jobra in Bangladesh, US educated Economist Dr.Yunus discovered that very small loans could make a disproportionate difference to a poor person. Jobra women who made bamboo furniture had to take out usurious loans for buying bamboo, to pay their profits to the moneylenders. His first loan, consisting of US$ 27.00 from his own pocket, was made to 42 women in the village, who made a small net profit each on the loan. From his experience at Jobra, Yunus realized that the creation of an institution was needed to lend to those who had nothing. While traditional banks were not interested in making tiny loans at reasonable interest rates to the poor due to high repayment risks, Yunus believed that given the chance the poor will repay the borrowed money and hence microcredit could be a viable business model.

On 1 October 1983 the pilot project began operations as a full-fledged bank and was renamed the Grameen Bank (Village Bank) to make loans to poor Bangladeshis. As of July 2007, Grameen Bank has issued US$ 6.38 billion to 7.4 million borrowers. More than 94% of Grameen loans have gone to women, who suffer disproportionately from poverty.  The payback rate on these loans is over 98%. In 2006, Yunus and the bank were jointly awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, "for their efforts to create economic and social development from below." (Source of the article: Wikipedia)

2. The success of the Grameen model of microfinancing has inspired similar efforts in a hundred countries throughout the developing world and even in industrialized nations. Here is a neat case (www.kiva.org)  of how technology has been applied to connect millions of people in different parts of the world; those seeking loans with those financing them. Matt Flannery and his wife Jessica founded this organization in 2004 as a side project from their regular jobs at TiVo  Inc. In 2005 Matt left his job to devote full time to Kiva.

3. The final story is about a young man from the high tech world. Nipun, a varsity tennis player, joined Sun Microsystems after graduating from UC Berkeley. But from childhood, his heart was always in helping the needy.  In 1999, Nipun combined his passion for helping needy with his technical background and created Charity Focus (www.charityfocus.org), an organization that has partnered with hundreds of small nonprofit organizations (NPO) to build custom web-solutions. Charity Focus' unique model enables volunteers to deploy a broad array of expertise to help NPOs better deliver services to their beneficiaries and more effectively reach their target audience. Having witnessed his progress through the years, I would say that he is the pioneer in creative use of internet technology in helping needy people.

Matt and Nipun's vision is shared by an impressive group of professionals from various walks of life who have enlisted in their cause. Many of you will see reflection of yourself when you read the background of the people.

Your Reflection?

Sources of articles and additional information: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muhammad_Yunus#Grameen_Bank

Comments

[Rikhi]

Are you promoting some kind of "Involved" program?
Neverthless it is a noble cause so keep it up.

[Sharon Lee]

In late 90s, John Chambers, Cisco CEO had said that he wanted technology to help eliminate world poverty. Don't know the progress on his project but two case studies here are good testimonials how we in tech field can help people improve thier life. Inspiring story of Mr.Mehta and Mr.Flannery. Of course, not to forget Dr. Yunus' contribution to millions of lives.

Sharon Lee

[Amin]

Rod to Glory was not easy for Dr. Yunus. Leftist radicals and Conservative Priests saw his plan as threat and create a lot of trouble. He did not give in or give up.
Accordig to UN reports GRammen bank has helped 50 million poor people to improve thier living.

[Rajesh]

Gandhi had a good test when one is in doubt or when the self becomes too much important. He would ask " Recall the face of the poorest and weakest man whom you may have seen and ask yourself if the "accomplishment" you are proud about will be if any use to him. Will it restore him to control over his life and destiny? Then you will find your doubts and self melting away.

[Friend from Philippines]

I like the concept of ‘paying forward’ best. Thank you so much for providing this link, it makes me happy to know that even if I was not able to make it big in the more visible realm, I’m still capable to make those acts of random kindness behind scenes without waiting for anything in return 

Warmest regards,

[Penang Person (Lady or Man)]

Good Story. The people in your story know how to use their education for being educated. They use what they learn in school for good practice. They serve community in right way; unlike some events where two people are painting, three digging, two planting while 24 others watching, 10 taking pictures and remaining eating Rambutan and Durian. Forgot, our boss busy posing for picture for Sunday Edition of the newspapers.

[Pilar Fernandez]

Out of the Box Thinking - Sep 2008

I see:
1. A lamp
2. A pencil
3. A spaceship
4. A swimming pool

[Thomas]

The Thurman quote reminded me of a program at my church called Heartworks. It's a series of classes intended to get each student to understand what his/her particular spiritual gifts are, so they can apply them with passion, rather than wandering around looking for a need. It gets rave reviews.