Creating Self-Supporting Villages & Breaking The Cycle Of Poverty In Africa
February 1, 2010 by Matthew Gillogly
As an entrepreneur, I hold very dearly to the belief that local entrepreneurship is one of the best ways to break the cycle of poverty in a community. I do not believe it is governments role to act as big brother, but our individual responsibilities to share with others our gifts and talents.
In many countries, when we give money to the government, it never reaches the people who need it most. It has been said by a number of studies that less than 10% of the funds managed by a government body reach those who need it most.
While in cases of direct individual philanthropy between 50% to 90% of the money reaches those who need it most.
One man has taken his experience of entrepreneurship and serving his fellow man to a new level. His name is Don Smith. His site is www.VillageEmpowerment.com He has spent the past 13 years running a business in Atlanta and then using those skills to impact hundreds of villages in central Africa.
Note he didn’t ‘sell’ his business. He is still in business. A key point.
Listen in as I interview Don Smith.
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Thank you for such a great idea. Empowering people to take care of themselves is going to end poverty one village at a time. Here in America as well!