The Blue Sweater (Ch. 9 - 14)
In the second half of the book, Jacqueline Novogratz expands on her story of her experiences in Africa. While spending time in Tanzania, Novogratz is jumped and robbed of most of what she owned while she was there. The significance of this is not the scarring experience that she went through while there, but instead her story of overcoming fear and her unconditional drive to help others. Novogratz returns to Africa after a hiatus to help her friends in Rwanda who suffered in the massive genocide. This was one of the experience that leads Novogratz to start the Acumen Fund. With this fund, she had the opportunity to expand her reach to invest in million dollar companies that had the mission of helping the local community to revamp the area.
Reading The Blue Sweater brought many thoughts to my mind that I had never explored. Coming from a country that suffers from many issues related to social inequality, I see many of the points that Novogratz touches upon. But the problem is more than just the distribution of money and resources as the book relates. Tackling the problem requires innovative ideas and people that are commited to investing in creative solutions. The Acumen Fund is an example that should be followed on social investing and hopefully inspires others to follow.
One of the things Jacqueline touched on--briefly--was the idea of privilege and listening. Your comment about how while Acumen provides the spring board, what is fundamental, is innovative ideas and people. This is something she didn't talk about much. And ironically, the opposite of something I talked about--funding being the fuel for success. It's with the assumption that ideas exist that funding is the catalyst. But to your point, ideas come first, followed by funding, that change the world.
ReplyDeleteWhen reading the part about her getting jumped, it was painful as in the first paragraph the suspense continually built and you knew the whole time that it would eventually culminate in something bad. She also made it seem as if this attack hadn't been a big deal, especially compared to the other attacks. I agree with you in that it shows how she overcomes all these issues.
ReplyDeleteReading this book has also made me think a lot about the less fortunate. I also feel as if someone doesn't truly understand another person's life unless they actually live within that society.
ReplyDeleteI have always liked the way you analyze things. You always seem to see the positive side of bad/negative situations, as you did with Novogratz experience being mugged. This event really shows how strong of a women she is and that she won't give up her drive of helping others that easily. Continuously since the beginning of the book she experienced different hardships and yet she continues going on with her passion.
ReplyDeleteIt's so true, tackling these types of issues requires innovative ideas and also passionate people willing to take those ideas and turn them into reality. And I believe Novogratz was one of those special individuals who dedicated their entire time on this earth to help others. I also like how you pointed out that her willingness to help others overpowered her fear. That right there shows how determined Novogratz is!
ReplyDeleteI am glad that you find what's in the book is related to our current world and the society you came from. Maybe in the near future, you can create your own "Acumen Fund" to solve inequality issues in your country!
ReplyDeleteI think it's interesting that you brought up that resource distribution isn't necessarily the only problem. Obviously, it's difficult to tackle even that, but I think you're right about needing innovative solutions. One of the issues with philanthropies is that we typically design what works in one culture (and usually also within a subculture) without thinking of new ways to solve problems, unique to specific people groups and their environments. Hopefully we have more social entrepreneurs who tackle those issues and capitalize on resources available instead of just bringing more in.
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