JULY 23, 2011

It Starts Where It Ends

It starts where it ends.

What does that mean? Cryptic, Kenton. Cryptic.

Not too cryptic. It might sound strange, but the meaning of this phrase is the heart of what we are all about at Because International.

So where does it start? It starts with those in extreme poverty. More specifically, it starts with listening to those living in extreme poverty. That is the beginning of everything that we do with Because International. We do not do anything without having it come from the thoughts, ideas, desires, and needs of those living in extreme poverty. Everything that we do starts with them.

And where does it end? It ends with those living in extreme poverty, as well. Everything we do has an end focus of impacting the daily lives of those living in extreme poverty. They are the reason. They are the heart. They are the end purpose. Everything we do ends with impacting those living in extreme poverty.

It starts with them.

It ends with them.

Everything that we do – from the beginning thoughts to the finished product – revolves around those living in extreme poverty. The people. The actual people. It’s all about them.

It starts where it ends.

MARCH 26, 2011

Because Blog about Listening

Last week, I received an excellent email from a Twitter friend about Because International. She is one of our new Twitter followers and was being introduced to who we are and what we are all about. In response, she sent me a great email with some penetrating questions and solid observations. From that email, I learned one really important thing about Because International: It can’t be about us; it has to be about them.

Completely. Fully. Everything must be centered on how best to serve those living in poverty. My Twitter friends comments reminded me to always have a poverty-perspective. Are we listening to their ideas? Are we letting them dictate the small and big details of their aid? Are we using local leadership to help make the logistics of the aid possible? Are we producing these products locally in the countries that we are serving? Are we involving those living in poverty and their communities as much as possible? These are the questions that we constantly need to ask.

So how does Because International do that? We are definitely committed to these ideals. We are a young organization, and we want to set up everything that we do with these things at the center. One of the biggest ways that we focus our efforts on those living in poverty is through our Innovation Conversation. Because International goes right to the source – right to those living in the trenches who experience extreme poverty everyday – to hear their ideas about how their lives can be better. We do not want our innovations to come from us; we want them to come from those who live it everyday.

We are trying our best to have our organization not be focused on ourselves but to be entirely dedicated to holistic service to those living in poverty. If you know ways that we can do that better, please let us know.

Thanks!

FEBRUARY 17, 2011

Be the Cause and Effect

Be the cause…
…and the effect.

Be the cause and the effect of something great in the world. That is the beauty of what lies before us: the opportunity to make an impact on a world that truly needs it. There are great deeds that need to be accomplished, and we have the opportunity to accomplish them. We have the capacity to be the cause AND the effect. Can you do it? Are you up for it? Are you willing to put yourself into it? Are you ready and willing to dig deep into your passion and compassion and be the cause for those in need?

It’s time to be the cause…
and the effect.
The opportunity is here. Let’s take it.

JANUARY 30, 2011

Common Sense Imagination

Common Sense Imagination Common sense innovation is a common theme for Because International. We talk about it a lot, and we utilize it as one of the pillars of who we are and what we do. But there is something else that Because International is all about, too.

Common sense imagination.

What is that? Common sense imagination is the creativity that we need to find to solve some of these problems in the world. There are situations in the world for which we have solutions. But we still have the problems. So we need to be creative, innovative, and imaginative in order to finally end these problems.

Common sense imagination.

The world needs people to use their imagination to think of creative, out-of-the-box solutions. We need to add some beauty and color and style to humanitarian aid. We don’t want a Walkman-mindset; we need an iPod-mindset. We need to step it up a notch. It is time to use our imaginations. It is time to use our creativity. It is time to be creative and a little bit crazy. It is time for our imaginations to run wild with ways that we can help people.

Common sense imagination.

The world also needs people to use their imaginations to dream of a better place. We need those living in the trenches of extreme poverty to envision a better life – and then we will be there to listen to their ideas. We need people to imagine what the world could be like when we are improving things and making things better and better and better. Let’s imagine what it could be like together.

So Because International is going to focus on common sense innovation, for sure.

…but we are going to do it with common sense imagination.

Here we go.

JANUARY 19, 2011

How Do You Explain Because? Here’s what we are all about

How in the world do you explain Because International?

That’s usually a question that I have to answer myself, but I thought I would bring it out into the open and talk about it with everyone. I get questions all the time like this: “So who are you guys?...What do you guys do?... What are you guys all about?”

Over the past year and a half, we have funneled down our mission and vision until we have reached our core. We have blown away the chaff and have chiseled down to the heart of Because International.

So how in the world do you explain us?

Because International is all about innovation.

Innovation, improvement, and updates are who we are. It is what we do. We try to make things better. We try to find a better way of doing things. We look at desperate world issues and then use our creativity, ingenuity, and imaginations to find ways to improve on the tools, resources, strategies, and actions that we use for humanitarian aid and compassionate ministries. How do we do this? We seek to do this through listening to those who are living in the trenches – those right at the source. We want to involve those who are living in extreme poverty with improving their own lives. They have ideas, and we want to hear them. In order to innovate, we need to listen.

So how do you explain Because International?

Basically, we are just trying to make things a little better.

That is what we are all about.

OCTOBER 13, 2010

Stop Collaborate and Listen - Part 2

Stop. Collaborate. And Listen.

Because International is all about listening. We want to do all that we can to get our information and perspective straight from the source. While it is important to collaborate with each other in the nonprofit sector and listen to those around us – we also need to listen to those on the front lines.

Too often it seems that well-intentioned people and organizations commit to strategies and actions without fully considering the thoughts and feelings of those they are serving. People living in poverty and desperate situations in developing countries can often feel left out of the equation and represent almost a ‘third wheel’ of sorts in the humanitarian aid process. Because International wants to stop, collaborate, and listen to those who are living in desperate situations around the world in order to involve them in their own aid.

If we are going to innovate properly, then we have to listen to those we are helping. The innovation ideas need to come from the source. The best ideas will come from the trenches. The best information will come from those who are living in it. The best perspective comes from those who are inside of the situation. Because International is committed to communicating first-hand with those who are living in desperate situations in order to empower them to fuel their own creative innovations for aid.

Stop. Collaborate. And Listen.

Because International is focused on listening to the source – those who themselves are living in desperate situations. It is time that we listen directly to them.

OCTOBER 10, 2010

Stop Collaborate and Listen - Part 1

I think there was a popular song in the 90’s written by one Vanilla Ice that included the following phrase: “Stop. Collaborate. And listen. ….” And while I would love to continue to recount the song, I think I will take the discussion in a different direction. But these three words adequately sum up one direction that we need to go in order to improve our ability to bring help and hope to a desperate world. Check this out. There are a ton of different organization and nonprofit entities that work with the issue of malaria in developing countries around the world. One common form of prevention against malaria is the use of bednets, and most of these organizations involve themselves with bednets in some form or another. The mission of all of these organizations is virtually the same: reduce the spread of malaria so that people can live more healthy and better lives. So essentially there are a ton of different organizations that work with the same issue, do virtually the same thing, and have the exact same mission.

Why can’t we all work together then?

We need to Stop. Collaborate. And Listen.

Most every desperate social issue has this situation. There are organizations that work with the same issue, do the same things, and have the same mission. It is time that we work together.

Stop working against each other. Stop competing against each other. Stop not utilizing each other. It is time that we all collaborate together to accomplish our common mission. It is time that we all collaborate together to share resources, ideas, and strengths. It is time that we collaborate together so that we are not duplicating services but reaching out to as many people as we possibly can. And it is time to listen. We need to listen to each other. We need to hear how we can help each other. We need to listen to the ideas around us that will help us truly END these issues.

And we can only do that together.

Stop. Collaborate. And Listen.

We need to innovate the entire way that we do humanitarian aid. And start working together. That’s common sense.

That is how we will end these issues.

OCTOBER 1, 2010

The Heart of Innovation

What is the heart of innovation?

What is the very core of the reason why we innovate?

Innovation begins with inspiration, motivation, and mission. If you do not have a passionate reason for creating an innovation, then you will not have the patience, fortitude, or creativity to innovate. The heart of innovation is the heart behind the innovation.

At Because International, we have a mission of common sense innovation – trying to improve and update the tools and resources that we use for humanitarian aid. We are committed to innovation. We are motivated to innovation. We have a mission for innovation.

Why? What is the heart of our innovation?

To repeatedly make life just a little bit better for those suffering around the world.

Because International is all about innovation for these three reasons: Because we can, Because people need it, and Because it’s the right thing to do. Because international is all about innovation because it is about time that someone focused on how to do these things better. We need to do these things better and better and better… so that we can repeatedly make life better for those suffering around the world.

This is our heart.

This is our motivation.

This is our mission.

And this fuels our patience, fortitude, and creativity for innovation.

Will you come with us on this journey?

AUGUST 18, 2010

It's Common Sense, Right?

Does any of this humanitarian aid stuff not make sense to anybody else?

I mean, we have tons of food – and yet people still starve. Lots of these diseases are preventable and treatable – and yet people still are suffering and dying. We have way more than enough clothes and shoes to wear - and yet there are people without any clothing or shoes at all. There is free, clean water at every drinking fountain in every building in America – and yet millions suffer from unclean water in developing countries. Does this not make sense to anybody else? Shouldn’t we be doing a better job at this stuff?

It seems like humanitarian aid needs more common sense. If someone is starving, give them something to eat. If someone needs medicine, then give them medicine. If someone needs clean water, then give them clean water. That is just common sense. We need to incorporate a common sense mentality to the way we do humanitarian aid. Even though it isn’t as simple as I am making it out to be – well, in many regards, it really is as simple as I am making it out to be. The entire theory of humanitarian aid is based on simplicity and common sense. We need to get back to the common sense elements of bringing help and hope to those who need it the most. And then we need to find better ways to really get it done.

That’s where the innovation part comes in. In all reality, I know that things are not as easy as they seem, but I also know that we can do better at this stuff. We can update our capacity for identifying those who are in need of supplies and aid and tracking their progress. We can find creative and common sense ways to get people the things they need when they need it. We can invent better products and tools to give to people so that it lasts longer, is more efficient, and makes better sense for their lives. It will take some very hard work, but we can do this. We can innovate solutions so that we can do a better job.

Really, it’s not like we don’t know what to do with these huge social issues. People who are starving need to eat. People with unclean water need clean water. People with diseases need medicine. We know what to do with most every single problem in the world. We have the solutions. We have the resources. We have the ability. There’s people who desperately need help. So let’s give them what they need. It’s not that simple, but it is that simple.

That’s common sense.

Now it’s not going to be handed to us on a silver platter. It will definitely take some hard work, creativity, and ingenuity. We have to give the best of ourselves to make a better humanitarian aid. But we can do it. We can find ways to do things smarter, faster, better, and with more effectiveness.

And that’s innovation.

And that all equals Common Sense Innovation – a new and improved strategy for humanitarian aid.

JULY 26, 2010

Innovation Conversation It Includes Everyone

Because International has a program called the “Innovation Conversation”. This is the first program that Because International has started as an organization, and the program truly defines who they are and what they are all about.

The Innovation Conversation invites all kinds of people to be a part of figuring out what we can do to help those living in desperate situations. The conversation brings people together to talk, discuss, and converse about their experiences, passions, and creative ideas in order to find better ways to do humanitarian aid. Check out the website for more information about how to be involved in this conversation.

But the best thing about the Innovation Conversation is that it needs to include everyone. Finding ideas and solutions cannot be just one person or group’s responsibility. It needs to involve everyone. For it to truly be the best innovation and solution possible, it has to include everyone. Only with everyone’s voices and perspectives will we be able to find the absolute best ideas and innovations.

The innovation conversation. It includes everyone.

Are you a part of the conversation?

JULY 24, 2010

Common Sense Innovation: Where We Need to Start

Common Sense Innovation.

What is that? Common sense innovation deals with the innovations, updates, and improvements that we need to make for the tools and resources we use in humanitarian aid that are straightforward and common sense solutions. For example, there is enough food in the world to feed everyone. And yet people still starve. Common sense tells us that this doesn’t make sense. Common sense tells us that we simply need to get the food to the right people. But how do we do that? That’s where the innovation part comes into play. Right now we obviously aren’t doing a great job at getting food to everyone who needs it. We need to create innovations and improvements in order to better get food to the people who need it. The situation is common sense. It is up to us to make the innovation.

Common Sense Innovation.

Common sense innovation is where we need to begin. There are so many situations that we do not know what to do with them. There are still a lot of problems for which we have found no solutions. Conversely, there are a ton of issues for which we already have the solutions. We know what to do. We know how to fix things. We have everything that we need to solve these problems. From clean water to poverty to treatable and preventable diseases to a host of other things – we already have everything we need to end these problems. Common sense says that we should be ending these problems. We just need to find the right innovations to make these things happen. Common Sense Innovation.

So this is the place to start. We need to start with things that we know, can control, and can make happen. We need to start with these common sense innovations so that we can end the problems. This is the place to start. And now is the time to do it.

Where do we start with helping people and ending these desperate social issues? Common sense innovation: finding innovations to finally make these common sense solutions happen.

This is the place to start. This is the time to do it.

Here we go.

JULY 9, 2010

“…because…”

It is a word that connects two thoughts with a reason. And with all of the energy and time and resources that we are trying to put into innovating humanitarian aid, there should be a reason behind it. So what is the connection for why we should seek to help those suffering from the effects of extreme poverty by updating humanitarian aid? What is our reason?

Because we can.

We should seek to help other simply because we can. We should innovate better ways of doing humanitarian aid simply because we can. We should try to do things better and faster and smarter and more effective and more relevant because we really can. This is not some far-reaching idealistic vision that will never happen; these are things that we can do. These are things that we have the capacity to do.

One of the main reasons for doing these things is because we have the ability to do them. Unfortunately in this world there are “have’s” and “have not’s”. Unless you live in extreme poverty where you struggle to make it from day to day, you are one of the “have’s”. As such, we possess an extensive capacity to help those less fortunate. We have a wealth of knowledge, skill, money, and resources. We have the opportunity and the ability to make an impact. We can make an impact.

But why this need to improve? Aren’t we doing okay right now with what we have going on? Why try to innovate? Because… we can. We totally can. Have you seen the amazing industries and companies here in the United States? Have you seen the technological and operational inventions and innovations that we have made in the past 50 years? In fact, if you are a for-profit company and you do not innovate your product or service by making it better, faster, cheaper, more effective – then you will be out of business! We do it all the time for ourselves and our businesses. We can do it for them, too. We really can.

Many times people living in extreme poverty cannot make life better for themselves. They are stuck in their cycle of disease, injustice, or position without the capacity to help themselves. Who do those who cannot help themselves look to for aid? They look to those who have the ability and capacity. They look to those who can.

So what is our reason for doing all of these things? Why?

Because… we can.

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JUNE 10, 2010

We Try To Make Things Better . . .

I was at the bank where we do all of our banking for Because International talking to a teller, and the person asked me “So what does Because International do?” Usually, I give people the elevator speech – talking about who we are, what we do, a cool story, etc. But this time I thought something else just kind of spur of the moment.

“We try to make things better.”

At the core, that is the heart of what we are all about. What does Because International do? Who is Because International? What are we all about? We simply are trying to make things better. Better shoes. Better bednets. Better ways of doing humanitarian aid and compassionate ministries.

“We try to make things better.”

Here’s the coolest part of how that works: you can be a part of it. Do you need an advanced educational degree to make things better? Nope. Do you need to me a missionary or live overseas or anything like that? No. Do you need to be an older adult with tons of experience in things like this? No, no, and no. All that you need to do is try. Everyone can make things better. How can we update the bednet? How can we improve the lives of those living in the slums in small ways? How can we make a shoe that makes more sense for kids? How can we innovate to find ways of helping those starving, struggling, and suffering? If you have ideas, ingenuity, creativity, and effort – we can make things better together. Through discussions and conversations and connections, we can make things better together.

Hopefully not only Because International can have this as our mission, but we can all have this as our personal mission.

We try to make things better.

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MAY 25, 2010

Be The Cause . . .

Be The Cause. It’s one of the ‘taglines’ for our organization. We want people to go beyond just helping with a cause and instead to truly be the cause that they are passionate about. Dig in. Put yourself in their shoes. See life through their eyes. Experience solidarity with their plight, struggles, and daily living.

But it also means something else. It is an encouragement for people to be the cause… of something. Be the cause of something good in your community. Be the cause of helping those around you. Be the cause of something innovative for those suffering around the world. Be the cause.

What can you be the cause of in your community? What can you be the cause of for people who need help around the world? In what ways has God gifted you and given you resources and experience so that you can help others and be the cause of something good in their lives? Because International heartily encourages you today to be the cause… of something good!

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MAY 13, 2010

Just One Thing . . .

People literally live lives of poverty. Their whole context for everything that they do exists in a context of poverty. This is the extreme poor. Their whole lives are poor. Everything about them – from job (if there is one) to food to transportation to house to clothes to opportunities to education to everything in between – is poor. So what is Because International trying to do about it?

Just one thing.

No, literally, just one thing. Because International exists to make the lives of those living in extreme poverty just a little bit better. We do that by updating and innovating the tools and resources that we use for humanitarian aid and compassionate ministries. We want to give the family living in extreme poverty one thing that can improve their lives – right in their own context. Right now I am writing this blog from a hostel in Jinotega, Nicaragua – a very poor community about three hours away from the capital city of Managua. I have spent this week with a small church and their surrounding community. As I interacted with them and observed their lives, I was struck by how much they do with the little that they have. People who live in poverty are extremely resourceful and creative. They make great use of the things around them – as sparse as they usually are.

This is where Because International wants to step in and help. We just want to do one thing. One thing. What is one innovation, invention, or update that we can create to help the people living in poverty in this small community of Jinotega? What is one thing that we can do to improve their daily lives? What is one thing that we can innovate to make their lives better?

One thing. Let’s start thinking.

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FEBRUARY 20, 2010

It's Not Idealistic - It's Possible

Too many times people will tell me (and many other young people), “You are being too idealist” or “That’s a good idea, but it’s too idealistic”. For the record, I really do understand what they mean. I understand what they are saying, and I appreciate it, too. I really do. I just greatly disagree with it. And here is why: It’s not idealistic if we have everything in place that we need to succeed – it’s simply ‘possible’.

I understand what is idealistic and what is not. If I were to say right now that we need to stop messing around and solve the AIDS crisis this year – that is probably idealistic. If young people were to go to Washington and picket the government to change every light in the world to one of those energy lights – that is probably idealistic. If I was trying to get everyone in the world to donate 20 hours a week to volunteering somewhere – that is probably idealistic. Why are these things idealistic? Because we don’t have the resources or capabilities to do it, because realistically nobody wants it to happen, and because it just doesn’t make full sense in real life.

But too often, people think that any big plan involving social justice is idealistic when it really isn’t. People are too quick to downplay ideas of ending some of the biggest problems in our world – unclean water, starvation, and malaria. They claim that these dreams are just too idealistic.

But I stalwartly deny this.

With all of my being I deny this.

These efforts are not idealistic. For something to be idealistic – that means that it is not even possible. It is a good thought, but it is not realistic because it is not possible. Either we don’t have the resources or the capabilities or it just doesn’t make sense in the real world – one of those things. But with many social justice issues in the world today, this is not the case. We have the ability to make water clean. We have malaria nets. We have enough food and money so that no one will starve. We have the resources, the capabilities, and the desire.

When we have all of these things – the resources, the capabilities, the money, the desire – then the solutions to these problems are no longer idealistic… they are possible.

They are possible.