Livelihoods

Kenya: Let the festivities begin! November 22, 2010

The other day on my Facebook wall, I wrote "Merry Christmas" and most of my friends told me that it was premature and way before time. But I differ with them. Reason: it’s the season of giving.

Philippines: Texting her way to a better business November 19, 2010

San Miguel is a bustling neighborhood in the center of Manila, home to many of the jeepney drivers and low-wage laborers that make up the city’s poor.

Haiti: Venturing to Haiti November 19, 2010

I recently had the opportunity to join a trip to Haiti led by Linda Mason, Chair of the Board of Mercy Corps. This is a very impressive and worthy organization on which I will elaborate later.

Afghanistan: Searching for the next Frank Perdue November 15, 2010

Tajikistan: Turning water into cash November 15, 2010

“For the last three years, my yields have been 30 percent of what they were before,” says Sabur Kumischev, as he makes a sweeping motion with his hand indicating the land where his crops are grown. “All I could grow was corn. The other farmers could only grow corn.

Zimbabwe: VIDEO: Basic technology boosts incomes in Zimbabwe November 11, 2010

On my first day in Zimbabwe, I went to visit some farm families in the town of Murejwa. People are poor there, and Mercy Corps is working with them to find ways to boost their incomes.

Afghanistan: Better than meeting Springsteen November 11, 2010

Some people are thrilled to meet rock stars or celebrities. I, on the other hand, get really excited about meeting grape growers.

Pakistan: Nothing more precious than a buffalo November 10, 2010

Small farmers all over Sindh province were hit hard by this past summer’s catastrophic flooding. Most of these farmers are very poor, living on less than $2 a day.