Carry It Forward: The Blue Sweater

When most people think of helping the poor, they immediately go to charities and donate their money. They envision a new pair of shoes, or a plate of food handed to a small African child. In their minds eye they see the frail form's face light up and be forever grateful to the generous benefactor who provided them with this short-term privilege, not a group of people working months on end with these poor Africans to end the poverty cycle and provide self-sufficient members of society.

For those days when we discussed The Blue Sweater by Jacqueline Novogratz, the main anomaly of her mission was not to simply raise up the poor but to inspire the poor to raise themselves up. Millions of poor people are shunted to the side and taken for unable to pull themselves out of poverty every day. Many of those Jacqueline worked with exemplify this desolation, this lack of conviction and belief in what they can do. But Novogratz's mission was to provide those people with the chance to get themselves out of the never-ending cycle of poverty; to start businesses that could eventually prosper without outside help.

The Acumen Fund is one that takes the typical preconceived notions about the poor and throws it at the face of those who believe that throwing money at a problem will solve it. Acumen spends hours with the recipients of their money and services, ensuring that donations and grants are put to good use actually changing the lives of the poor. In lieu of donating through corrupt governments and societies where a small percentage (if any) of the money donated actually reaches the people, Acumen workers go to the people and and observe their daily lives and the things they could benefit from. The Acumen Fund, in my opinion, one that challenges people everywhere to not only give money but to act on their desires to help the poor and experience parts of their lives with them that will change them forever.