Starting Up

Let me be honest — I love to write, especially about things that fascinate me.  As many people are aware, I have started to fall in love with Haiti as I did with Bangladesh in the late 1980s and 1990s.  So, as the world of microfinance deals with various shock waves including fair and unfair criticism in the media and from political leaders, I feel it is important to shine the spotlight on those who are providing microfinance in the true spirit of the visionary leaders who started this anti-poverty movement — people like my mentor Prof. Muhammad Yunus and Ela Bhatt.  So I have decided to take a sabbatical from Grameen Foundation, the organization I founded in 1997, for part of this summer to research a book about Fonkoze, the leading microfinance institution of Haiti.  Starting this summer, I will be posting updates on my book including draft passages and short videos filmed in Haiti with my handheld camera.  I hope lots of people will take interest in this project, check out the postings and comment on them so I can improve my thinking and writing, and even repost/circulate what I post to draw in others.  I want this book to shift mindsets, educate, inspire and also reach best-seller status so that the good work of organizations like Fonkoze can be expanded.  All proceeds from sales of this book will benefit Grameen Foundation and its work to support organizations like Fonkoze in the battle against global poverty.