While at my friend’s house this evening we were catching up on our TED talks, and came across my new found hero Jessica Jackley. Jessica for those of you who don’t know her is the creator of the KIVA project. We posted about Kiva a couple months back explaining the empowerment of the micro-loan system that Jessica facilitates. Kiva, just to recap, was created for entrepeneurs living in poverty in developing countries.
Jessica’s story is rich with personal accounts, and is a great documentation of her journey and the success of Kiva. She kept this model and extended it to the world by using Kiva as a platform to tell the stories of the poor and ambitious. She emphasizes how important storytelling is to the well-being of the human race and society as a whole.
As humans we are hard wired to feel empathy, compassion and to want to help those in need. In society today we are so bombarded by the volume of help that the world needs. It’s often overwhelming and leaves us with feelings of guilt, sorrow and sadness. Thus, we become desensitized by all of these negative feelings that we turn off our ability to extend empathy and compassion to others in need. My theory is that we need to provide those who are helping with positive reinforcement. It’s important to help others but it is equaly important to appreciate those who are helping as well! With this constant positive circle of action, I believe we could be on the right path to a world where happiness is a sustainable feeling!
Please take aminute to listen to Jessica Jackley’s story of taking chances, empowering herself and others through a little money, a lot of work and an abundance of Love!
Do Good, Feel Good, Live Good
-Team thinkGood.
Tags: Jessica Jackley, Kiva, TED Talks