Designed to Survive in Rwanda

This story from Dwell magazine (slideshow really) asks us to think about links between health care delivery in the developing world and architectural design. Catch line from the first slide: "can architecture save. . . lives?" Maybe so, using an approach that this story refers to as "humanitarian design."

In Rwanda, the MASS Design Group is using design principles to help improve health outcomes at a new hospital. The group's founder, a young architecture grad student named Michael Murphy, is working with Partners in Health and the Rwandan Ministry of Health to build the Butaro Hospital (north of Kigali). The hospital is designed to combat air-borne diseases by promoting more effective air circulation and by separating patients into dispersed hospital buildings. Other projects on the horizon for MASS Group include a school, an eco-tourism lodge, and a housing complex.

Here's another site with more information on projects connecting design with humanitarian needs. And here's another story from last year about a British NGO that is building housing in Rwanda with a focus on addressing some local housing challenges (dealing with flooding, insects, earthquakes) in an environmentally conscious manner and while using local materials. These houses end up being quite expensive by local standards but, as with all these projects, the key benefit may be to offer new ideas/new idioms for local builders.

- Karol

(the photo of this typical Rwandan house was taken by my friend Puja Ahluwalia when we were in Rwanda together in 2008).

Indego Africa Partners With Polo Ralph Lauren

If you haven't heard, Indego Africa's newest partner cooperative, Twiyubake Family (“Twiyubake”), has launched a line of woven bracelets at Polo Ralph Lauren!

When we initially approached Twiyubake about the order, the women were hesitant. They had never made this type of product, and they had never produced a custom order for a large retailer. The timeline was short and the pressure was on, but with the invaluable help of superstar Indego Africa employees Valens Rutazihana, Sarah Dunigan, and Ellie Kates, the women of Twiyubake completed the order on time and with perfect quality!

Now the bracelets are being sold at the hottest PRL stores in Soho and the Hamptons, and InStyle.com is raving on its "What's Now!" news: Ralph Lauren Sells Fair Trade Bracelets.

Located in the Kayonza District of Rwanda, and faced with the most difficult of circumstances, including the loss of multiple family members in the 1994 Genocide, these 39 master weavers are determined to lift themselves out of poverty with spirit and dignity. With new confidence from their Polo Ralph Lauren success and news skills gained through Indego Africa, there’s no stopping them!

In the New York area? You can pick up your very own Twiyubake bracelet, exclusively carried at the following PRL stores:

379 West Broadway
New York, NY 10012

390 Bleecker Street
New York, NY 10014

31 Prince Street
New York, NY 10012

31-33 Main Street
East Hampton, NY 11937

57 Main Street
East Hampton, NY 11937

41 Jobs Lane
Southampton, NY 11968

- Ben

McKinsey Global Institute Says Africa Roaring Ahead

The McKinsey Global Institute has a new publication out entitled "Lions on the Move: The Progress and Potential of African Economies."

This report adds to the growing chorus of observers who say African economies, at least some of them, may have turned a corner and are now on the path to sustainable growth and poverty alleviation.

Among the findings of this new study: economic growth has been widespread in sub-Saharan Africa and broad since 2000 -- many economies have been growing and in many sectors.

What helps explain the change: policy reforms that led to an improved macroeconomic environment (lower inflation rates, smaller budget deficits, stable and appropriate exchange rates, among others) which in turns leads to improved micro-level outcomes (lowering costs of doing business locally and trading across borders).

As a result, African economies now offer investors, foreign and domestic, attractive opportunities and not just in the extractive industries or in commodities. Among these potentially attractive opportunities: providing goods and services for African consumers -- the report notes that the number of African households with discretionary income is projected to rise by 50% over the next ten years and top 125 million people.

Great news that hopefully will continue.

- Karol

Photo: Market in Rwanda by Ben Stone

Indego Africa at Stanford Graduate School of Business

From June 20 - July 2, 2010, I was honored to attend the Stanford Graduate School of Business Executive Program in Social Entrepreneurship (EPSE) - one of the most gratifying educational experiences I've ever had.

Jim Phills (pictured right), Director of Stanford's School for Social Innovation, not only engaged us in "Mission, Strategy, and Execution," "Social Entrepreneurship and Innovation," and "Corporate Strategy," but, as the EPSE Faculty Director, he also expertly guided us through a diverse but interconnected (and powerful) series of professors and subjects:

• Jim Patell, a professor at Stanford's famous Institute of Design (the "d.school"), and several of his immensely talented TAs, lead us in "Social Entrepreneurship by Design," an intense 48 hour session where our designated teams transformed a point of view into an idea into a prototype into a final presentation - and, along the way learned that "innovation isn't an event, it's is a design process," and that the best design comes from a "emphatic, human-centered approach" and a "prototyping culture."
• Chip Heath, best-selling author of Made to Stick: Why Some Ideas Survive and Others Die, talked about "How to Change Things When Change is Hard," encouraging us to "find and emulate the bright spots of a situation." He also described helpful ways to motivate the "Elephant" (our emotional and instinctive side), direct the "Rider" (our rational side) and shape the "Path" (the surrounding environment) to successfully spur change.
• Robert Burgelman, took us deep into "Dynamic Forces and Driving Firm Evolution," where, with masterful story-telling, he helped us explore the implications of strategy, drawing on diverse examples like the Peloponnesian War and the turbulent history of Intel.
• Deb Gruenfeld empowered us with "Building and Leading Effective Teams," "Influencing without Authority," and "Acting with Power," highlighted by acting sessions and an insightful look at the power dynamics in the classic movie, Twelve Angry Men.
• Jennifer Aaker, a mastermind of marketing and author of the new book The Dragonfly Effect: Quick, Powerful Ways To Use Social Media To Drive Social Change, took us through "The Power of Social Technology" by drawing upon everything from the comedian Louis C.K. lamenting about modern society to the "happiness machine" at Coke.
• Paul Pfleiderer gave us a hard-nosed look at the opportunities and challenges on the finance side of social entrepreneurship with "Tapping the Social Capital Market" and "Socially Responsible Investing."
• Jeff Pfeffer challenged us to look at the role of power and influence - and how to use it for good - in "Leading Large Systems Change: Power and Influence in Action."
• Bill Barnett, whose teaching style I would liken to a virtuoso jazz musician, rounded out the program with a standing ovation worthy "Balancing Social and Business Objectives in the Social Enterprise."

Most importantly, however, were the life-long friendships I made with my classmates, forty-nine of the most incredible social entrepreneurs on the planet. Traveling from more than fifteen countries - including Australia, Nigeria, Poland, the U.S., India, Canada, Columbia, Malaysia, El Salvador, Pakistan, Spain, China, the Philippines, the U.K., and Switzerland - and driving forward systemic social change in every possible sphere you can imagine, it was this truly remarkable group that made my experience one for the ages (class photo below!).

- Ben

Indego Africa's 2009 Annual Report!

It is my pleasure to present you with Indego Africa's 2009 Annual Report in a stunning new design. While 2009 was a difficult year to grow - or even sustain - a young social enterprise, Indego Africa and its Rwandan partners came through both unscathed and invigorated. Our organization grew, our cooperative partners prospered, and our prospects brightened.

In my view, one word embodies Indego Africa's success in 2009: perseverance. Unfazed by a fundraising downturn, Indego Africa launched new training programs in entrepreneurship and literacy. And to the extent financial performance is an indicator of strength, Indego Africa's 2009 revenues grew by nearly 15%. This simple fact attests to how deeply our mission resonated with you. Despite difficult economic times, you found our cause worthwhile and we've tried to recognize you in this annual report accordingly. Together with our passionate team and artisan partners, we all persevered in 2009.

Your commitment to the Indego Africa mission - that we can empower women through skills and entrepreneurship - is more important that ever in 2010. One maxim from my 2008 letter to donors bears repeating: you will find no other fair trade organization with our record for performance, efficiency and transparency - all the key ingredients to making a verifiable social impact. If you can support our expansion, please visit us at www.indegoafrica.org/donate. Thank you for your invaluable investment in our mission.

CLICK HERE FOR ANNUAL REPORT. Please share!

- Matt