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Alleviate poverty - one family at a time!

Last night I got a chance to spend a couple of hours with Mike Murray – who is an ex-VP from Microsoft and a good friend.  Over the last several years Mike has co-founded and is the Chairman of the Board for Unitus – a non-profit organization that is focused on innovative ways to solve global poverty.

 

It was fascinating to see how this organization has evolved in the last several years to work with MFIs (Micro Finance Institutions) in different parts of the world and help make a difference to hundreds of thousands of people and families. 

 

In the decade or so since I have known Mike, I have known him to be super passionate about his work – that was true when I knew him at Microsoft.  I am glad to see him take that passion and apply to a social cause very effectively.

 

I wish Mike and the team at Unitus all the very best and success in their journey.

 

Namaste!

Posted: Saturday, July 15, 2006 12:30 PM by Somasegar

Comments

Alleviate poverty - one family at a time! » Wagalulu - Microsoft » » Alleviate poverty - one family at a time! said:

PingBack from http://microsoft.wagalulu.com/2006/07/15/alleviate-poverty-one-family-at-a-time/
# July 15, 2006 3:37 PM

Kintan's said:

I was fortunate to realize very early in my career that there are "different" companies and there are...
# July 15, 2006 9:19 PM

Chandana Hathi said:

Just heard this story on NPR this morning http://www.publicbroadcasting.net/kplu/news.newsmain?action=article&ARTICLE_ID=942347
They call it "Microlending Takes Off in NW", a concept that they adopted from Bangladesh. Its great to hear and read about these. How does someone contribute to this?
# July 17, 2006 2:36 PM

Somasegar said:

Hi Chandana,

I would encourage you to visit the following location to see how you can get involved here:
http://www.unitus.com/sections/involved/involved_main.asp
# July 17, 2006 8:37 PM

loc said:

I obviously don't know enough about MFIs, but education is also key in fighting povery. A high school equivalence degree and a certified skill will get you a job in most countries. Investing $700 (ballpark guesstimate) per household should be enough for one person in a developing country to get both in about 3 years. Once he/she gets a job, that person can partially support one of the dependences, so the second investment in this household would only be half of that initial investment in this household. Once this household has 2 working members, maybe their dependences (i.e., their children) can get higher education.
# July 23, 2006 6:07 PM

Jay said:

Thank you Soma, for blogging about Unitus.

Working for a Microsoft Gold Partner in Wellington, I regularly read your blog.

Based on the information provided in your blog, I became aware of Unitus and contacted them for donating money to help out debt-ridden farmers in Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh through their MFI.




# July 24, 2006 10:43 PM

Somasegar said:

Hi loc,

If you listen to some of the success stories that these guys have to say of people who quality of life improved significantly, a number of them absolutely have prioritized educating their kids.

- somasegar
# July 25, 2006 2:08 PM

Somasegar said:

Jay - thanks for your generosity.

- somasegar
# July 25, 2006 2:08 PM

Somasegar's WebLog said:

A while ago I blogged about Unitus and the great work they are doing in the area of microfinance. Currently,

# October 27, 2006 11:07 AM

Unitus. Innovative Solutions to Global Poverty said:

PingBack from http://blog.unitus.com/?p=263

# October 27, 2006 11:59 AM

Unitus. Innovative Solutions to Global Poverty said:

PingBack from http://blog.unitus.com/?p=264

# October 27, 2006 1:33 PM

Somasegar s WebLog Alleviate poverty one family at a time | Paid Surveys said:

PingBack from http://paidsurveyshub.info/story.php?title=somasegar-s-weblog-alleviate-poverty-one-family-at-a-time

# May 29, 2009 3:25 PM

Somasegar s WebLog Alleviate poverty one family at a time | debt settlement program said:

PingBack from http://edebtsettlementprogram.info/story.php?id=23928

# June 19, 2009 9:46 AM
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