Allie B.

Recent Activity

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  Allie commented on the article | almost 3 years ago

  Training Days

  Aaron,

  
  

  You make such a good point about your co-workers.  It's so easy to say that they're your "NGO partners," but a lot harder to behave in a way that demonstrates this partnership.  How are you feeling about project sustainability?  Do you think your co-workers have the will (and the way) to keep it going after your leave? 

  
  

  Best of luck in your final week!

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  Allie commented on the article | almost 3 years ago

  The Profit-Motive in Microfinance: Who Gets Left Out?

  Catherine,

  
  

  This is a really thoughtful post - it's so easy to get caught up in your on-the-ground experience that we never take our thinking to the macro level.  I wonder, though, how much of the Sahayata model of lending to the "middle" class is based upon a trickle-down model of wealth?  Aside from the lowered financial risk, what are the other justifications for the org's lending practices?

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  Allie commented on the article | almost 3 years ago

  Finally, the Beginning

  Wow, Aaron.  Sounds like you're experiencing that the "N" doesn't really belong in NGO.  If you haven't yet, you should check out what Obama said in a speech in Ghana a few days ago (http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/12/world/africa/12prexy.html?hpw).  I think it will really resonate with what you're experiencing.  Are you guys planning to actually go to Kampala to find out the status of the bank certificate?

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  Allie commented on the article | almost 3 years ago

  First day out in the community!

  I think a lot can be said for establishing trust through relationship-building.  Although it seems like you'lll be pressed for time due to the political situation, prioritizing things like taking lunch breaks with community members, shopping at stores in the community, or even engaging people you meet on the street in conversation goes a long way towards establishing your legitimacy in their eyes.

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  Allie commented on the article | almost 3 years ago

  Being an Asian American Woman in India

  Catherine,

  
  

  I think the sort of cross-cultural dialogue is one of the best outcomes of a study abroad experience.  Maybe it's conversations like the one you observed that are the "community development projects" that are more sustainable and impactful than anything that you and your team could come up with this summer.

  
  

  What are others' thoughts?  Can the biggest outcome of a summer abroad experience be the result of interactions like these?  Is this a cop out, or simply a realistic expectation?