Thursday, January 13, 2011

Reflections on Acumen Fund Fellowship


As I look back to my year in the fellowship, it seem like have had such a long time. Perhaps it is just because of the amount of learning and interaction that we had during this time. Since this space was entirely new for me, everything I saw, heard and learned was new for me.
The initial eight weeks last year in New York provided me very good insights into the business skills, leadership skills and the skill to build a network around me. It no doubt provided me with the opportunity to be part of such a humble though dynamic and diverse group of friends. I learned to listen, speak out and question more authentically.
Both the retreats upstate in New York and Berkshire were the highlights of my time last year in New York. We learned so much about each other through structured exercises and fun gatherings.
I liked the second part of my field placement in terms of learning and actually doing something practical. Stepped into a new geography, culture and environment I had the opportunity to learn from the customers, their perspective and their perception of the product being offered to them. It was so rewarding to understand the dynamics of a market based solution working out through a community based distribution model. Assessing and designing the communication strategy for the product in Northern Areas of Pakistan was something I have always been wanted to do!
And now back in New York, listening to my fellow fellows stories and framing mine own is such a fulfilling experience to get through! All of us coming back from different geographies, companies and sectors have so much in common to share!
Generosity of thoughts, knowledge and emotions that people at acumen offers to each other and the world has moved my conceptions of this part of the world. Strength of the cohort and team building left me more convince that doing it together always makes it doing it conveniently and cheerfully.
Above all there are few of the things which really affected my own perception of the world, the sector and my own self in so many ways. I learned how important is the human connection for this world that relates all of us to each other regardless of our belief, our nationality, race and cultures.
I feel so confident and independent about myself and the potential that I could utilize to bring a meaningful change in the world around me.
Now looking ahead seems so easy and so optimistic!!! That is the change I could have been thought of and wished off. I am very much optimistic about myself at personal and professional level. Facing and being part of the change has never been so easy. 

Sunday, January 9, 2011

A dream.........



On a mild winter afternoon, in Peshawar, Magrib Gul, the security guard at the guest house sitting beside me started a story……..
“Yesterday, on my way home I met a guy with a bunch of papers. I asked what those papers were for; he replied these are loan papers. An organization in Islamabad gives loans to needy people without any guarantee. I asked so many related questions and requested for help to get access to the loan but I don’t remember the name, I could not note the address even.
You should have noted the name and address I stressed him! But I can’t read or write Sir, Gul informed me and I feel so sorry for myself so many times a day. 
Magrib Gul, a husband and a father of six, lives in somebody’s house in a rural village of Mardan District. His wife does domestic labor at the owner’s and takes care of her own family as well. The only income this family has is Gul’s monthly salary of Rs: 8000 (equal to USD 90). Gul is happy as all his children go to school and the motivation he gives to them is his own example-the hardship and limited choices they have.
I asked Magrib, why he needs to lend money?
“Sir, I have a dream…. to own a house, Gul continues; with my earning as labor for fifteen years, I have purchased a small piece of land and my brother in law has offered me wooden pillars and……….what I need is Rs: 20,000 to bear hard stones and labor cost. If I get the loan, I can pay it off in ten equal installments from my salary”
The story is not rare, nor is my exposure to such situations! …..What left me think is that is there any way we can serve this unsecured but needy market? Can we innovate in the risk coping mechanism? Let’s think………..