Simply elegant

I first learned about the Riders for Health organization on PBS' Rx for Survival television series. The concept is simple: give motorcycles to Africa's health workers and train them to ride and repair them themselves. With this transportation, they can effectively distribute aid and administer basic health care to remote villages. The impact is nothing short of revolutionary. You can see a brief movie about the program here.

The TIME.com Global Health Blog

Time magazine's Christine Gorman blogs about the latest international health news on the TIME.com Global Health Blog (and yes, it has an RSS feed).

Cool maps

Maps make it so much easier to really see the problems sometimes. Check out GlobalHealthFacts.org from the Kaiser Family Foundation. Be sure to click on a Data by Topic link and then get the map for each topic. Here's an example: Malaria Deaths. Very elegant.

ONE

What does one of the world's most famous rock stars know about poverty? Plenty. Bono not only makes great music, he is making big changes in the world as well. In 2002, Bono founded DATA, Debt AIDS Trade Africa. He now influences popular culture AND the world's most powerful leaders. In recognition of his achievements, TIME magazine named him one of 2005's Persons of the Year.

Social Capitalist Awards 2006

From the FastCompany web site: "Introducing the Fast Company/Monitor Group Social Capitalist Award winners--25 entrepreneurs solving the world's toughest problems with creativity, ingenuity, and passion. Because they can't stand a vacuum. "

How to Change the World

The book that started all of this for me was How to Change the World: Social Entrepreneurs and the Power of New Ideas by David Bornstein. He profiles people who have made a change in their world, focusing on nine individuals who were selected for fellowships by an organization called Ashoka. Ashoka's mission is "to shape a citizen sector that is entrepreneurial, productive and globally integrated, and to develop the profession of social entrepreneurship around the world."

I found each of the individual's stories to be an inspiration. The things that they accomplished were indeed extraordinary, yet the people themselves did not seem to be that much different from anyone else that I know. What made them stand out was their conviction, determination, and perseverence. Maybe we don't necessarily need to be smarter, richer, or better connected to make a difference. Maybe we just need to try.

Change making launch

Over the past few years, I've been increasingly drawn to social entrepeneurship and the power to change the world that has been demonstrated by individuals. With the rise of technology, globalization, and wealth, the power to create positive change in the world is ever-increasing. Still, there are serious global challenges that humanity must face. This blog will highlight individuals and organizations who are solving problems, not just treating them, in new and interesting ways. It is my hope to inform and inspire others to rise to the challenge and create an upward spiral of change making throughout the world.