Wow. What a whirlwind few days. I’m in San Francisco for two conferences – BarCampAfrica, which I attended on Saturday and Social Capital Markets 2008, where I’m blogging now before the first session starts in about an hour. It’s fabulous to be back in the City.

I thought I’d quickly post my perspectives after BarCampAfrica, although some of the conversations we had are still sinking in. The conference was held at Google and gathered about 150 people from several continents to discuss issues and ideas related to Africa – it was billed as “building the connections between people and opportunities in Silicon Valley and Africa.” Attendees represented many different perspectives, but most seemed to believe, as we do, that investment in Africa may be a significantly more successful path for the continent ahead than pureplay charity.

Media Coverage of Africa

Perhaps the most interesting conversation in which I participated was a discussion, with representatives from YouTube, Google, the Commonwealth Club and NEED Magazine – some from the US and some from Africa – about media images of Africa. While we could all agree that a more positive media portrayal of Africa was an essential element in moving the continent forward, we seemed to disagree about the causes of the stereotypical imagery and coverage that seems to dominate Western media. While some insisted that Africans (yes, I know, this is a radical oversimplification of a vastly diverse continent) themselves must protest negative imagery and storytelling and insist on approaches that depict “the whole truth,” others insisted that media consumers or old-school media producers drove common portrayals. Still others in the room, including me, suggested that aid organizations and NGOs have much to gain from perpetuating hopelessness and fear. One very bright contributor actually went so far as to say that aid organizations have no choice but to propagate such imagery to raise support for their efforts. I couldn’t disagree more. Unlike some, I believe hope is a strategy…and a winning one at that.

Personally, I believe that images and stories that emphasize our differences and disparities only serve to divide us, while stories and photos that evoke our common hopes and humanity bring us closer together. I believe we have far more incentive to help those to whom we feel personally connected than those whom we consider radically different from ourselves. Empathy, IMHO, is a far more powerful motivator than sympathy. I’d love to get your thoughts on the topic.

The discussion reminded me of an incident that occurred during our most recent trip to Tanzania. As we were requesting photo releases from the parents so that we could include their photos in our marketing and fundraising efforts, one of the parents insisted to Mama Lucy that it never be implied that her daughter, Faith, is an orphan. She’s not. Mama Lucy was saddened by the feedback, because obviously she would never misrepresent the truth, and knows we wouldn’t either. It is, however, a vivid portrait of how skewed our media coverage of the African world has become. Imagine fearing that your child would be portrayed as an orphan – when you’re a parent who works hard to provide the best possible life for your kid.

The Missing Middle

According to the New Yorker, “It’s easy for really big companies in poor countries to tap the markets for funding, and now, because of microfinance, it’s possible for really small enterprises to get money, too. But the companies in between find it hard. It’s a phenomenon that has been dubbed the ‘missing middle.’” Because SMEs (small & medium enterprises) can be the engines of economic growth in developing countries, it’s critical that this segment of the market grow and flourish. Few lenders, though, focus on this segment of the market, as Epic Change does by providing loans that exceed typical microfinance loan amounts. Our first loan, for instance, was $35,000, far greater than the average KIVA loan of just $458 – an amount which some would argue is not nearly enough to move an individual out of extreme poverty, let alone an entire family or a community.

At BarCamp, I anticipated meeting many more organizations who were evolving in the macro- or mezzo-finance niche but Linda Jenkinson, founder and CEO of WOW investments which is currently operating in Senegal, was, I believe, the only person I met there whose model attempts to address this critical gap. That said, while her model attempts to provide financing to profitable small-to-medium businesses, the Epic Change model aims to fund similarly-sized ventures that are not-for-profit, making our approaches radically different. While in the case of WOW, repayment will come directly from the profits of borrower-run businesses, our repayment model requires building partnerships with manufacturers and distributors who will produce and sell goods infused with the stories of our borrowers. The profits from the sale of these goods will be used for repayment.

The Power of Storytelling

At the conclusion of the conference, Tom Rielly of TED shared the story of William Kamkwamba, a young man from Malawi who, when he was only 14, built a windmill from a picture he saw in a library book that provided electricity to his home and village. If you haven’t seen this short film, you need to.

The presentation underscored for me the power of hopeful stories and of heartfelt personal connection in bringing about change. Tom’s passion for William’s efforts as he told the story was palpable.

Connection

It was an incredible experience to have the opportunity to connect with so many thoughtful individuals so passionately committed to evolving the conversation between Africa and the rest of the world. The diversity and talent of the people present was humbling, and I was proud to be a part of this inaugural event. As just one example, Sanjay raised his hand during one of the panels and Emeka Okafor, Program Director for TEDGlobal2007 and TEDAfrica (yes, that TED) approached him to hear more about our ideas. That’s huge. We had the opportunity not only to contribute our ideas in a pool of some amazing individuals, but to learn from some of the very best and most innovative in our field. Thanks to Ellen & Kaushal for all their work organizing a tremendous event.

PS: Check out the children on the header of the BarCampAfrica blog - notice anyone familiar? Yep, they’re our own Pius & Glory and their images were requested as positive, hopeful images of African children. To say I was honored for our imagery to be recognized as particularly positive is an understatement – thanks to one of the organizers, Kaushal Jhalla, for requesting the photos to be used both on the blog and at the event.

Posted: October 14th, 2008 under The Foundry.
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Last year, a potentially significant donor issued a challenge to Epic Change. When we explained to her our fundraising plan – to raise the majority of our donations through small contributions from ordinary people – she was intrigued, but unconvinced. She pledged to give us $5,000 on October 17, 2008 if we could raise $25,000 in small donations prior to that date.

So far, we’ve raised $23,185.08 in funds eligible for this challenge – and we now have just 2 weeks to raise the additional $1,814.92 to meet our goal.

So we need just 73 people to donate $25 (or more!) by 10/17 – and I’m hoping you’ll be one of them. In our country, that’s a few lattes; in Tanzania, it’s nearly a full month’s salary for most.

In fact, just today we found another donor who’s agreed to double your donation if you become a monthly subscriber for $5, $10, $25 or more before our challenge grant deadline of 10/17 – up to a maximum match of $3,500. As you likely realize, subscribers provide a predictable, stable source of income that allows us to spend more time creating results, and less time fundraising. Of course, while we know you won’t want to, you may discontinue your subscription at any time – but I hope you won’t pass up this opportunity to multiply the good you’re doing.

To donate or subscribe today, click here. After you do, I hope you’ll also post a comment below explaining why you chose to donate to Epic Change today.

I once read a quote by Mother Teresa who wrote:

“What I do you cannot do; but what you do, I cannot do. The needs are great, and none of us, including me, ever do great things. But we can all do small things, with great love, and together we can do something wonderful.”

I’m hoping you’ll donate today not only because you know that each dollar you give helps to create Epic Change in the lives of some pretty incredible kids, but also because you want to prove to our potential donors that ordinary people, working together, can do extraordinary good.

PS: To learn more about Pius, the beautiful little boy who’s smiling at you above, click here.

PPS: Pass it on…

Posted: October 3rd, 2008 under The Foundry.
Comments: 2

An exciting update from Mama Lucy:

Unity Is Power – believe me or not!

Before Sanjay and Stacey left to return back to the US in early August this year, we had several meetings with Rachel, Kira and Mindy of Sun Strides, a nonprofit organization based in the US. They came to join hands with us so as to support and push us forward in what we’re trying to achieve. The major issue of our joint meetings was about the solar power installation for our school.

Our aim is to start computer classes by January 2009 for our primary classes. That could only be possible if we have electricity. As we’ve said before, we received 5 computers already from Epic Change this summer.

It was on Friday 12th September 2008, when Sun Strides re-visited our school and started the work. On Sunday 14th September, I couldn’t believe my own eyes when for the first time I saw electricity at our school!

Just click on the mosaic below to see larger images in Flickr.

Special thanks to Sun Strides for their fabulous job; for working and paying for the costs of solar installation. Otherwise, pupils couldn’t enjoy the computers and we would still be having dark nights.

We have been able to achieve what we have because you’ve joined our efforts. Your donations, your ideas, and entire support have brought great change to our school and community.

Thank you Epic Change! Thank you Sun Strides! Thank you all who have supported us and made us be where we are. Your support means a lot to us!

With Much Love,
Mama Lucy – Shepherds Junior School
Arusha, Tanzania.

It’s great to have partners in creating Epic Change, and we’re so glad Sun Strides decided to implement solar power at Shepherds Junior as their first project. Thanks so much to Rachel, Kira, Mindy and all of the donors and supporters at Sun Strides!

Posted: October 3rd, 2008 under The Foundry, Updates from Mama.
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