I continue to be frustrated by the lack of transparency and accountability in the so-called “international development” government and NGO sector. So much energy is focused on inputs (e.g. we fed 100 people) and very little on results (e.g. 50 people cross the poverty line and are still there after 5 years.) I’m finding that so much of the interesting high-potential break-throughs are coming from smaller socially-driven organizations which are cash-strapped, but entrepreneurial-minded.

Microfinance is a newer approach to solving the global problem of poverty. Small loans are given to poor people to help them engage in growing a small business.