Allison's World of Opportunity

In the Masaai Mara, Kenya in 2008

Hey everyone!

As most of you know, I started a new position with Engineers Without Borders in September. Although I have only been here a few months, I have quickly come to respect the amazing work that EWB does both here, and overseas.

But let's back it up a little. When I graduated with a Business degree in 2006, for me, the last thing I wanted to do was go and work for a bank - or a big bank-like corporation for that matter. (Not my style!) Although I knew that business has the power to unleash economic opportunity in emerging economies - large companies are often unable to figure out how to make this happen in a valuable way.

This is what brought me to where I am now. EWB, like select other forward-thinking NGOs, knows that business has a role to play in development. This might mean promoting or implementing more ethical pro-poor sourcing, or building the business capacity of rural farmers to take control of their own futures. Either way, they recognize the transformative power of the private sector.

In Ghana, Zambia, and Burkina Faso, EWB is working with farmers, unions, companies, and governments to help millions of rural Africans move from farming for survival, to farming as a business. Our volunteers live and work among the people they are serving, creating targeted and long-term change based on the actual realities of each rural community. If you don't already know, this is a quite innovative approach.

Now, I am asking you to help support my - and EWB's - World of Opportunity for rural farmers. Please help me reach my goal of raising $1,500 this holiday season! In doing so, you are not only supporting me and the work I have chosen - but also EWB's hope for the next generation of innovative, resilient and inspiring Africans.

Love,

Allison