Project Big Fish contacted The 1010 Project about becoming a business partner through providing free advertising. This great example of private and social sector partnerships prompted me to ask a few questions of Thomas Frank.

1. I like to talk about pursuing the Triple Bottom Line (People, Planet, Profit); how does your business engage in helping others?

At the end of the day, we all have to do something to provide for ourselves and our families, however if we can find a way to do that and help improve the word around us, even in just a tiny way, that is the gold star of achievement. At BIG fish we’ve always been about helping the underdog and in particular those organizations that are really passionate about what they are doing.

As creative consultants, our job is about telling the unique story of our clients in a way to help them raise money, spread awareness, gain members or win an election. But when we can become as enriched in the story as the organization that’s where the true magic happens and those are the projects that turn into real success.

2. What is the source of your passion to partner with organizations like The 1010 Project?

Our passion comes from the sheer desire to do the right thing. Anyone can work for the big corporate beasts, but working with the organizations out there really making a difference is so much more rewarding. Organizations like The 1010 Project are rolling up their sleeves and doing good in the world and we want to be part of that positive movement. Call it good Karma, call it following your Conscience, call it whatever you want, the simple fact is we’re all in this together, so let’s lend a hand where we can.

A few additional links of interest:

• Our services for non-profits – http://www.projectbigfish.com/non-profits
• More about me – http://www.projectbigfish.com/thomas-frank

Want to find out more about becoming a business partner? Contact us today.

Recently we asked you, our supporters, to send words of congratulations we can pass along to Candlelight School. Thanks to your generous donations, Candlelight has a fully functional computer lab in the middle of the Matopeni Slum. Candlelight used local craftsmen to create a safe and secure facility that now provides essential learning opportunities for students, and a revenue stream as a cyber cafe for the community.

Here’s what supporters said; you can add your voice in the comments below!

From Lisa

To my friends in Matopeni:

Have fun learning about computers! They can be frustrating at times, as I’m sure you’ll find! Though by far the best thing computers have done for us is make it easier to contact friends, and to stay in touch through the years though time and distance may separate us! Good luck!

Ashley Smith expressed her excitement:

How incredible it is to see the power of Christ working through people’s hearts to give in order to support an amazing organization! What a blessing to the Matopeni community to have a such an awesome tool of knowledge at their fingertips. Way to go 1010project family!!

Cathy Cuttrell shared

This is awesome, Brian, to hear about the computer lab providing much greater access to knowledge to solve problems and train for the future….very excited for our Kenyan friends.  Hugs to all

From Kim Koole

Alice – your computer lab looks amazing!  I’m so glad that you’ve been able to continue on that project – and it sounds like a great way to generate additional revenues for the school!  We miss you and pray for you often!

From Kathy Harvell

How time goes by so quickly and so many changes in just one year!!  Our group from Northside Christian Church in Spring, Texas was in Niarobia last June just before the school and church were demolished.  The Lord has brought you a long way from those terrible and dark days.  From the few pictures I’ve seen, it appears you have made several very nice improvements!!  Praise God!!! The trip to Kenya was a life changing event for me, actually all of us.  You taught us so much about faith and true worship.  It was truly a pleasure to be in your presence and spend time with you and those beautiful children.  I’ll never forget the welcome song and smiles we received from the children and teachers.  I still talk about the trip and think and pray for you often.  I hope I can return someday and spend time with you again.  Did any of the trees we planted survive the demolition?

Sending our love and prayers, God Bless

On June 22nd, our Executive Director Brian Rants and Chair of the Board Melissa Schaap will be joining the Greater Good Academy’s Showcase.

The 1010 Project wanted to be apart of this incredible event because we share Greater Good’s emphasis on the Triple Bottom Line: People, Planet, and Profit. Entrepreneurs who desire to not only be profitable, but also profit their communities are the key to breaking the cycle of poverty.

Join us to get plugged into breaking the cycle of poverty here in Denver!

June 22, 2010 – 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Mi Casa Resource Center, 360 Acoma Street

Click here to register online

Will he be smiling after biking to the top of Pike's Peak?!

On August 29th at 8am, Jack will begin an audacious two-fronted assault: Ascending Pike’s Peak & Ending Poverty.

The Assault is a fully supported event giving a limited number of cyclist the chance to tackle the hardest climb in North America…Participants will ride from the highway toll gate at an altitude of 7500 ft. to 14,115 ft. at the summit…continue reading about the ride or make a contribution towards the ride.

Jack Rants is the Community Care Pastor at Pulpit Rock Church in Colorado Springs Colorado, and the father of 1010’s Executive Director. When asked the obvious question of “Why are you doing this?!” he replied

“I am no longer content to merely hope that the plight of those living in abject poverty improves. Even though I can’t do everything, I am intentionally taking responsibility to do something. Through partnering with The 1010 Project any of us has the ability to effectively and responsibly break the cycle of poverty for people trapped in it and living without hope of being freed from it. My “Assault on the Peak” is an opportunity for many of us to enable 1010 to allow the world’s poor to find their way out of the despair and hopelessness of complete and utter poverty.”

Kelly (in orange) and the Discovery Crew

Article by Kelly Little of Discover Church in Broomfield CO
At Discovery Church we value the reciprocal relationship we have with Fred and Alice Afwai and the work they do in the Kayole neighborhood with Hands with Hope Safe House and also Candlelight school.  We do not see Candlelight School as a charity that we donate to, rather our brothers, sisters and children that we care deeply about and will do everything within our abilities to advocate for them. Through this relationship our church is given the opportunity to cultivate compassion and generosity to benefit our friends.

When we went to Nairobi last fall to visit our friends in person we went with a purpose; to learn more about the life they live, the people they work with, and to have a conversation about how we can serve their vision.  Every day we worked hard and every evening we talked, laughed and cried as we did life together and shared struggles.  One evening Alice called me into her room and showed me piles upon piles of beautiful Kenyan goods that mothers had given to Alice in the hope that their child would be able to go to school.   Alice, having a heart to see every child be able to go to school – regardless of income – graciously accepted these items, even though the items alone would not pay for teacher salaries, supplies or food for the school children.

As we sat on her bed and looked at these piles and piles of scarves, jewelry, handmade bags and aprons, she asked me in a quiet but confident voice, “do you think you could bring some of these items home with you to sell?”

Cooperative Computer Learning

After spending the time to get to know the men, women and children of Kayole there was no way we were going to say no.  We had no idea how much we would be able to sell, but we packed our suitcases full to the brim and trusted that the Lord would provide a way for us to sell these items back home and send all of the money back to Fred and Alice to be used to improve the care and education of children in the Kayole.

Over Christmas and Easter we were able to sell the items to our friends, family and congregation and we raised $3200, with every cent going back to Kenya.

Through the sale of these goods, our church members are able to contribute to the well being of our friends and directly to the Kenya economy at the same time.  When our members are given the opportunity to directly impact real people, the generosity overflows.  We strongly encourage other churches to get to know any of the amazing partners who work with The 1010 Project, have a conversation, and see what you can do to help.

The 1010 Project, where I am Executive Director, has received attention for its unique development model. Recently I met with an African now living in Denver, who asked: “How did you come up with this model focused on social entrepreneurs.”

It’s simple. We didn’t come up with it.

We came to this model by listening to our partners, by observing the creativity and innovation of the poor in solving their most pressing issues.

So if there is an essential posture for effective international development, it is: “listen to those whom you seek to serve.”

Why do you think this is important? I would love to hear your thoughts, leave a comment below.

I received this email from an African living here in Denver:

I also have a small donation from the last meeting of my Social Media Digital Marketing network here in Denver. I might need a way to get that to you before the 23rd… (It’s only $75 dollars).

My response

Thank you SO very much for partnering with our cause. The overwhelming majority of our support is small, grassroots fundraisers just like yours. We believe in the power of each person to impact another person, and in fact that it is the only way systemic change happens. So thank you!

What are your ideas? There is no idea too small…join the story and Get Involved Today.

Observing partners of The 1010 Project in Kenya, as well as listening to our leaders in Kenya, I’ve discerned three elements that must be present for a business or community venture to succeed.

• Aptitude: The skill or competency which the entrepreneur is offering to their community and to the marketplace.
• Business Acumen: Knowledge of basic business principles and strategies
• Capital Investment: Resources for startup costs, including financial, intellectual, and human capital

In metaphor format, if the entrepreneur and their skill is a Computer, Capital is the hardware and Business acumen is the software.

Development at times has focused primarily on the third element, Capital Investment. And it is true that  hardworking, creative entrepreneurs in impoverished countries have remarkable aptitude but often lack access to basic capital.

However, as Michael Nyangi of LOMORO reminded me in February, many of these community leaders have not received the kind of business knowledge we take for granted in the United States. The average American would have a primary understanding of concepts like budgeting, marketing, and finding your business “niche.” In my experience, the same assumptions cannot be made in the developing world.

That is why The 1010 Project provides access to not just capital, but also training through the Kenyan 1010 Network. If you are interested in helping our business and community leaders gain this essential training, join us on a trip to Kenya this summer!

Interesting fact: these community and business leaders are often called “social entrepreneurs,” as their ventures provide both significant financial and social good!

Join the fun of NCAA Men’s Basketball “March Madness…” and join the story of The 1010 Project at the same time! The entry period ends March 18th, click on the button below to get started.

$10-15 is a common loan from the Community Based Organizations (CBO’s) we support like Mother’s Concern and Tumaini Pomoja. In February I met a woman who turned such a loan into a $75/mo business that allowed her to overcome the major obstacle of school fees for her 6 children, pay rent, and help break the cycle of poverty for her family.

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