It’s been a little while since my last month and boy has a lot changed. A couple of posts back I mentioned that I accepted a job with Unitus, a non-profit focused on international economic development, specifically in the area of micro-finance. Unfortunately, about two weeks after I started, the Unitus board announced that they were shutting down operations and the entire staff was laid off.
Fortunately, an interesting position opened up with PATH, another Seattle-based international non-profit that focuses on health care. PATH is in the middle of a 5 year project studying and improving the commercial viability of low-cost water purification solutions like the water filters and chlorine solutions I’ve been discussing on this blog. The role is a temporary consultant position based in Nairobi for several months. I’ve accepted this position and am now back in Kenya. I will act as the liaison between the Seattle team and the African partners, project manage two sub-projects around clean drinking water, and will try to identify and support social entrepreneurs doing work in the water and sanitation space.
There have also been some good developments on the Kibera Kiosk project. We’ve just filed the articles of incorporation for a new non-profit organization and are in the process of obtaining our tax-exempt 501(c) status so we can accept direct donations. Steve, the Kenyan general manager, has moved to Nairobi and we’re working to refine the business plan and register the organization with the Kenyan government.
Stay tuned for a lot more updates in the coming days and weeks now that I’m back in Kenya.
Jeremy,
Sounds like your position with PATH has taken you back to just where you need to be. I met Steve while I was at Common Ground this past summer. He worked with us while we did a leadership training workshop with leaders from 6 women’s groups who were starting a farming cooperative. He is delightful and extremely talented.
Enjoy your work together and look forward to reading more about your progress.
Hi Jeremy,
Great to see your work on both fronts is going well. Any luck with world peace yet? Many blessings on your work!
Kari