Updates from My 'Fellow' Fellows

As some of you know, I am a part of a six person Acumen Fund fellows team. It has been great getting a few notes from the other six Acumen Fund fellows who are in India, Pakistan, Kenya and the US. Here are some reflections:

:::David Lehr:::
“I am with drishtee.com, a very innovative for-profit company focusing on delivering services to rural villages in India by leveraging local entrepreneurs. Their current services are via kiosk-based entrepreneur working out of a physical location (perhaps a small storefront, or even out of their house). To expand the reach to rural residents who do not, or can not (due to physical distance or mobility issues) visit an actual kiosk, I am crafting a plan to leverage the rapid growth of mobile phone penetration in India.

It is a bit wild here in India, especially compared to China .... I do have constant fears of lice, malaria, diptheria, typhoid, Delhi belly, death by auto rickshaw, threats by the real estate goons that I mixed myself up in, and just the possibility of falling thru large
holes in the street. And besides, there is no toilet paper in the bathrooms, and no silverware in the restaurants - you figure it out, I can't.”

:::Eric Berkowitz:::
Eric is settling into his new life with his wife and eleven-month-old baby. He has begun work with BroadReach Healthcare, a global company leading transformational change in healthcare delivery, distribution, and financing. Founded in 2003, BroadReach builds and grows successful businesses in three primary areas of emerging market opportunity in healthcare: Global Health; Provider & Distribution Networks; and Consumer-Driven Networks.

:::Jocelyn Wyatt:::
I’ve spent almost 4 weeks at the Sustainable Healthcare Foundation (SHEF) and have worked on many different projects including the 2007 work plan, a drinking water and school screening program sponsored by Proctor & Gamble, a new franchise compliance evaluation process, and a proposal to the Gates Foundation for an in-depth program evaluation. I visited the field several times and have been totally inspired by the work our nurses and community health workers are doing. I’ve found life in Kenya fairly easy (or easier than India at least) and am enjoying the perfect climate and rolling green hills around Nairobi.