Archive for 2009
Good Intentions’ Year End Roundup
Wednesday, December 30th, 2009
I started this blog in April of 2009, having just returned from four years in the thick of the Southeast Asia Tsunami recovery efforts. My hope was to help donors better understand aid – a cause I am very passionate…
Four questions you should ask before funding a microfinance project
Tuesday, December 29th, 2009
Microfinance is growing in popularity both among donors and the aid world. If you’re uncertain about how microfinance works or what are its strengths and weaknesses, see my post What is Microfinance?
Before you donate, use these four…
What is microfinance?
Monday, December 28th, 2009
While most donors might not be familiar with the term Microfinance, they probably use a type of microfinance called – credit cards. Perhaps the biggest difference between credit cards and microfinance in developing countries is that credit cards are a…
The Five Year Anniversary of the Southeast Asia Tsunami
Saturday, December 26th, 2009
In remembrance of the five year anniversary of the Southeast Asia Tsunami I am posting an article I wrote soon after arriving in Thailand to help with the recovery efforts.
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It has been 100 days since the tsunami.…
How is the sweater your aunt Martha gave you similar to charitable donations?
Tuesday, December 22nd, 2009
What’s the worst present you ever received? A crazy colored sweater from your aunt Martha, questionable cookies from a neighbor, a tacky decoration from a coworker. We’ve all received those types of gifts, but have we given them as well?…
Interesting articles and posts – December 12 – 19
Sunday, December 20th, 2009
Interesting articles and post from the past week
No Silver Bullets
Thursday, December 17th, 2009
During dinner with my brother last weekend our conversation turned to microfinance and the fact that it’s not living up to it’s original hype. In fact, rather than being a panacea to all problems, people receiving microloans face many of…
More bad donor advice
Tuesday, December 15th, 2009
Tales from the Hood takes on Nicholas Kristof, author of Half The Sky, for his recent article in Outside magazine titled “Nicholas Kristof’s Advice for Saving the World”.
I am also critical of this article. Given his audience…
Interesting articles and posts – Dec 6 – 13
Monday, December 14th, 2009
Interesting posts and news articles from the past week
Orphanages revisited
Wednesday, December 9th, 2009
I’ve blogged on orphanages quite a bit, but it’s worth revisiting one more time with the recent articles in both the BBC and New York Times.
According to an article in the BBC:
“At least four out of
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