Social Entrepreneurs @ CNBC by Beverly Schwartz
I read a fantastic blog post on CNBC by Beverly Schwartz the author of “Rippling: How 
Social Entrepreneurs Spread Innovation Throughout the World.”
Ms. Schwartz starts off with this query:
"Ever wonder why some people can turn what if and what is into what can be?"
Immediately this brought to mind the efforts of Roya Mahboob founder of Citadel Software (Afghanistan) and Francesco Rulli the founder of Film Annex (NYC). A mere 10 weeks into their collaboration and creation of the Afghan Development Project they have recently achieved a milestone with the grand opening of the first internet classroom for the students of Baghnazargah School in Herat, Afghanistan. The second classroom is currently under construction with the goal of 40 more to follow.
Roya and Francesco embody the definition Ms. Schwartz gives us for social entrepreneurs,
"All social entrepreneurs start out as critics. As they refuse to accept things the way they are, they manage to break out of current paradigms, to defy convention, think counter intuitively, and reframe old thinking."
To the amazement of many including myself and to those who asked why, or said it cannot be done the distance is too great, or the wrong toes will be stepped on; these two social entrepreneurs defied all naysayers and created a classroom with computers and internet access for the benefit of kids. IT IS DONE, through email and Skype communication they have provided these kids access, an amazing step in joining the world community.
Ms. Schwartz continues,
"they (social entrepreneurs) build institutions around ideas and create virtuous cycles of social benefit that begin when people, businesses and corporations in the community become agents of change themselves and then influence others to do the same".
This is most certainly the case as I watch, read and listen to an amazingly diverse group of individuals from all walks of life being introduced to this initiative, and figuring out how they as well can be involved to promote further success as it makes sense, it's straightforward, and it benefits kids.
I am excited to witness how the Afghan Development Project plays out with ideas such as the development of an educational curriculum, an Afghan "technology grid", and the Dari educational software program in the works. I am certain and Ms Schwartz may concur that Roya and Francesco have an abundance of the four inherent qualities social entrepreneurs possess; "Purpose, Passion, Patterns, and Participation".
NO POLITICS...JUST INTERNET