In the heart of Nairobi’s second largest slum, St. Lazarus School rises from the rubbish strewn streets. We begin our steep and bumpy ascent into Kibera. It’s rush hour and people by the hundreds stream toward downtown Nairobi on foot. Vendors along the road set out their wares, mostly fried bean cakes and vegetables, to sell to the commuters.

MODERN MEETS MALNOURISHED
A woman and child sleeping alongside the road wake and begin to stir. Behind them an advertisement asks, “How are your stocks doing?” It’s the contrast that strikes you, the juxtaposition of Wall Street, the Ying-Yang Twins, cell phone companies, churches, mortuaries and malnourishment. The air is muggy and thick. Heavy clouds loom with the promise of much-needed rain. As we crest the hill, you can see the vastness of the slum. It’s overwhelming. Read the rest of this entry »

It’s easy to have values when times are good. It’s when times are tough that people demonstrate their true natures. Enter Sweet traveler Crista Luedtke (yeah, call her Crista).

Among other things, Crista is a mortgage broker. While the whole mortgage market is collapsing, Crista’s business is growing. Why? She’s got the key ingredient to weathering any storm: Integrity.

She believes that you should “do something you love, do it differently, have fun and give back.” The other day Crista called me with an idea: Partner with Sweet to help the projects we’re working on all over the world. Of course, I said YES! Read the rest of this entry »