Hi to everyone who's made it this far, thanks for the interest!
So it's Thursday, 27th January, and in 2 days I say goodbye to London and head to Benin. Predictably unpacked and unready.
But before I go, here's a quick introduction to my trip; as my blogs progress over the next few months you'll hopefully get much more flavour for what it is I'm up to and why.
1. Background.
Well, I've spent the past couple of years in London making wonderful use of my chemistry degree by working in management consulting...
2. Timelines.
A few months ago I made the decision to move on to an MBA starting in late 2011. With acceptances coming out at the end of 2010, it didn't take long for me to figure out there's at least 6 months between those. Anyone who knows me probably guessed I was coming up with a plan...
3. Along Came Kiva
As much as I pine for the Full Moon party in thailand, it seems that travelling gap years (aka Garp Yars) have gone a little out of fashion, so I needed something a little more substantial. You know, doing something worthwhile, lasting, meaningful, etc etc. Though obviously somewhere very hot, very sunny, and ideally with a beach.
My thanks therefore to Nicki, for introducing me to the wonderful world of Kiva, microfinance, and development. (MUCH more on all these over the next months, don't worry).
In a nutshell - it's a website (http://www.kiva.org/), it connects you and me to entrepreneurs all over the developing world, and allows you to provide credit to them which they pay back in full (assuming their business venture is successful).
Kiva Fellows are people who give up their lives for a few months and go to these places to make sure everything's dandy.
No pay, no expenses, isolated, and no more London living conditions. How could I resist?
4. And Now I Actually Have To Go Through With It.
So please keep an eye out for my stories here (go on, add this page to your favourites. Maybe even your homepage. That would be great.) and I promise to give you a taste of something a little different.
