Field Notes from the Development Industry 2/28/2013

1) A reader wrote in to ask for advice on an NGO that packages and sends rice and beans to “starving people.” I though my answer might be useful for … more Blood & Milk…

Things I don’t believe in – handicraft projects

I don’t like handicraft projects. They seem to be very popular with private donors and small NGOs, but they’re mostly a bad idea. Here’s why: It always seems to be … more Blood & Milk…

because this is my life now

Today I bought a giant can of Nescafé just to get the free sugar bowl that came with it. We already have a whole set of Nescafe mugs I acquired … more Blood & Milk…

Me, in other places

              Some recent appearances on the internets: I wrote about birth kits for the Disruptive Women in Healthcare blog. I love that blog, so … more Blood & Milk…

On Mother’s Day

                      Motherhood and international development are linked for me. I’ve been working in development longer than I’ve been a parent, … more Blood & Milk…

UNCTAD – Day 6

The last day of the conference was fascinating. The negotiating delegates were up late last night working out the wording of the document; this morning you could tell a lot … more Blood & Milk…

I want to argue about something new

I was lucky enough to hear two Arab Civil society activists speak the other day. The Arab spring has been one of the major undercurrents of UNCTAD XIII. These speeches … more Blood & Milk…