Social Innovation Fellows Class of 2012

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FELLOWS

Jamila Abass – MFarm
As CEO of MFarm, Jamila Abass uses mobile technology to help farmers increase their incomes. MFarm provides farmers in Kenya with real-time market price information and a group selling platform where they can connect with other farmers to jointly market their crops in greater volumes. By giving rural farmers more direct and powerful access to buyers, MFarm is positioned to improve hundreds of thousands – and potentially millions – of lives.
www.mfarm.co.ke/

Lukas Biewald – CrowdFlower
Lukas Biewald is CEO and founder of CrowdFlower, a crowdsourcing internet company that breaks large digital projects into small microtasks and distributes them to workers around the world. CrowdFlower engages a workforce of nearly 3.5 million people to complete more than 2 million tasks every day. In a key example, Biewald helped PopTech Science Fellow Sarah Fortune find new ways to study the bacteria that cause tuberculosis. By sharing the workload, making it fun and insisting on quality results, CrowdFlower provides incomes while speeding the path toward more accurate and scalable results.
crowdflower.com/

Rachel Brown – Sisi ni Amani – Kenya
Rachel Brown founded Sisi ni Amani – Kenya ("We are Peace – Kenya" in Swahili) to pioneer the use of mobile technology to get the right communication capacity into the hands of local peacebuilders, enabling communities to participate in democratic processes and prevent violence. Through civic education, engagement and dialogue, SNA-K leverages SMS text messaging to support the peace efforts of community leaders. As a key partner in the collaborative PeaceTXT project, SNA-K is working to make locally effective tools that can be replicated globally in stopping violence and building peace.
sisiniamani.org/

Bryan Doerries – Outside the Wire
Bryan Doerries is the founder of Theater of War, a project that presents readings of ancient Greek plays to service members, veterans, caregivers and families to help them start talking about the challenges faced by military communities today. He is also the co-founder of Outside the Wire, LLC, a social impact company that uses theater and a variety of other media to address pressing public health issues, such as combat-related psychological injury, end of life care, prison reform, political violence and torture, and the de-stigmatization of the treatment of substance abuse and addiction. A self-described evangelist for classical literature and its relevance to our lives today, Doerries uses age-old approaches to help heal very modern wounds.
www.outsidethewirellc.com/

Toure McCluskey – OkCopay
Toure McCluskey is the founder of OkCopay, a unique search engine for medical procedures that helps Americans with inadequate insurance find affordable local health care. At OkCopay, people can quickly search for the procedure they need, compare local providers, and view actual provider prices and details on the appropriate health clinic. By bringing transparency to healthcare costs, OkCopay is ensuring that those most in need can find effective and reasonable health services.
www.okcopay.com/

Nicholas Merrill – Calyx Institute
Nicholas Merrill created the Calyx Institute to help launch a telecommunications and Internet service provider focused on the right to privacy and freedom of expression. Merrill has personally fought intrusive government demands for private customer information, and he aims to develop, document and publicly release technology to enable private communications that even the service provider cannot decode or eavesdrop upon. Merrill’s goal is to inhibit mass surveillance and to protect the privacy and security of users everywhere.
www.facebook.com/calyxinstitute

Jacobo Quintanilla – Internews
Jacobo Quintanilla joined Internews to bring news and information resources to people in humanitarian crises. As Director of Humanitarian Information Projects, Quintanilla has helped create a two-way dialogue between aid workers and affected communities in countries such as Haiti, Central African Republic and Kenya. Building on Internews’ core mission, Quintanilla’s projects empower local media in crisis situations to give people the news and information they need, the ability to connect, and the means to make their voices heard.
internews.org/

Andreas Raptopoulos – Matternet
Andreas Raptopoulos is the founder and CEO of Matternet, building a network of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to transport medicine and goods in places with poor road infrastructure. Matternet’s "drones for good" use small, electric UAVs to transport packages weighing up to 2 kilos and containing items like vaccines, medicines or blood samples, over distances of 10 kilometers at a time. By creating a new paradigm for transportation that leapfrogs roads, Matternet is helping to revolutionize transportation in the developing world.
matternet.us/

Aishwarya Lakshmi Ratan – Global Financial Inclusion Initiative
As director of the Global Financial Inclusion Initiative at Yale University and Innovations for Poverty Action, Aishwarya Ratan focuses on the design and delivery of effective financial services for the poor. GFII seeks to test, evaluate and replicate interventions to improve products, delivery channels and tools ranging from savings products to mobile money and financial literacy programs. The initiative’s rigorous approach to testing and measuring the impact of such innovations aims to ensure that the financial services available to the poor to manage and grow their money are affordable, efficient, secure and welfare-enhancing.
www.poverty-action.org/financialinclusion

Eric Stowe – A Child’s Right / Splash
Eric Stowe believes that every child has a right to clean water—and he has built an innovative, scalable approach to act on that belief. Since founding A Child’s Right (soon to be Splash) in 2006, Stowe has developed a highly effective model to ensure safe water for urban children living at the intersection of these two streets: “greatest degrees of poverty” and “worst water quality conditions.” Leveraging world-class water purification technology, sustainable monitoring and maintenance, excellent people, and a rigorous commitment to transparency, A Child’s Right will soon announce that every orphanage in China has safe drinking water. Stowe’s team will then demonstrate how they are customizing their approach for 15 more countries in Asia and East Africa, using their "Proving It" platform to share both successes and failures at all of their project sites.
achildsright.org/

Eric Woods – Switchboard
Eric Woods is the CEO and founder of Switchboard, which uses mobile phones to create nationwide networks of health workers in developing countries. Switchboard partners with mobile operators to provide health workers with free nationwide calling, a nationwide registry and access to information via bulk text messaging. Having already linked all doctors in both Ghana and Liberia, Switchboard will next connect health workers at all levels throughout Tanzania, working toward the vision of a collaborative network of health advice, referrals and improved care in places where access is most challenging.
www.switchboard.org/

Daniel Zoughbie – Microclinic International
Daniel Zoughbie created Microclinic International to help leverage the power of social network relationships to spread healthy behaviors throughout under-resourced communities. Working in Jordan, India, Kenya, the West Bank and the United States, Microclinic International has begun to show that working through existing social groups of friends and family can significantly help people improve their outcomes in the fight against such diseases as diabetes and HIV/AIDS. The effectiveness of their approach is attracting attention from governments and other large-scale health providers, opening the door to large-scale replication and the broader use of this "contagious health" approach.
microclinics.org/

16 Medi-Cal substance abuse treatment centers are under investigation
Sixteen drug and alcohol treatment centers that provide rehabilitative services to Medi-Cal patients are suspected of fraud and of hiring providers with felonies on their records, officials from the California Department of Health Care Services …
Read more on Los Angeles Times

State: Drug treatment options exist despite local backlog
Department of Health statistics for Vermont show the breakdown of care for 9,401 clients who received substance abuse treatment in 2012. Substance abuse treatment covers alcohol, marijuana/hashish, heroin and other opiates, and other substances.
Read more on BurlingtonFreePress.com

Mercy substance abuse program helps 'Mommy be a better mommy'
Fasano, 39, of Portland, is now in the last months of a two-year treatment program at Mercy Hospital's McAuley Residence, a rare live-in substance abuse program designed specifically for women in which the women's children live with them. Fasano said …
Read more on Kennebec Journal

Recovery Associates Brings Its Leading-Edge Drug and Alcohol Treatment …
Professional substance abuse support for men, women and adolescents will be available in Bay Harbor Islands, which is located in South Florida. Recovery Associates' multiple treatment tracks will be available for all people who are looking to continue …
Read more on PR Web (press release)

Cocaine usage is a growing but often underestimated problem in the United States. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimated that approximately sixteen percent of the US population had experimented with cocaine. Cocaine use doesn’t tend to receive the media coverage of say prescription drug abuse, it is none the less a widespread and serious issue. The size of the issue has resulted in specialist prevision designed to tackle this addiction, in the form of Cocaine drug rehab.

Fortunately there are now a number of different options available for those seeking help with their cocaine addiction. Anyone looking for such help should seek professional assistance as soon as possible. The damage caused by long term cocaine addiction is severe, and the level of addiction will need to be treated differently on a case by case basis. A rehab center can help formulate a plan and treatment program that will put the user on the road to recovery.

The most effective treatments will work on an in-patient basis. As an impatient the user will be able to go through a thorough detox program so that they can get the cocaine out of the system. This stage of the recovery is hard, however is very effective on an in-patient basis as the user is not able to acquire any drugs. Rehab centers also tend to offer support groups, which will contain others who are going through the same process. The ability to share your feelings and experiences with others in the same situation is an important aspect of removing chemical dependency and reaching sobriety.

At this stage there is no formal cocaine addiction specific medicine available. Drugs with have traditionally been used for other conditions such as both Selegiline, which is and Alzheimer’s treatment and Disulfiram which is used to treat alcoholism, have been proven to help with Cocaine abuse. Antidepressants are also often prescribed to deal with mood swings and anxiety, both of which are prevalent withdrawal symptoms.

Counseling and behavioral therapy is also commonly used to deal with the addiction. Cognitive behavioral coping skills lessons are provided to help the user cope with the withdrawal from their addiction. Cognitive behavior treatment is very effective as it helps the user identify and prevent placing themselves in situations where by they are likely to start using cocaine again. Cocaine drug rehab provides the best methods and support available to those looking to rid themselves of their addiction.

California is one of the largest and most populated states in the country. Located on the western part of the United States, against the Pacific Ocean, it borders Oregon on the north and Mexico on the south. It has a diverse population and many parts of the state, such as Los Angeles, are overcrowded. There is heavy use of drugs, as well as alcohol in the state, as a result of which there are over 1000 California Rehab Centers, more than anywhere else in the country, with Orange Country having the majority.
Experience has shown that long term’ treatment is much more effective than ‘short term’ (less than 30 days) with California Rehabilitation programs. Following treatment at the center, there is extended care, followed by weekly checkups and group therapy. It has been found that continued reinforcement is needed for the program, whether drugs or alcohol, if it is to be successful.
This treatment is obtained at a tremendous cost, not only to the government and the individual, but to society as well. Many break-ins, robberies, family abuse’ and other problems of society, are directly attributed to this problem. Federal, state and local governments, alone, spend hundreds of thousands of dollars each week with arrests, trials and imprisonment of these people. Records for 2005 show that almost half a trillion dollars was spent on substance abuse and addiction problems in the United States. It is reported that only two percent went toward rehabilitation.
Treatment at the centers can vary, however the majority of long-term programs (30-45 days) have intense, cognitive behavioral therapy, either individually or in a group, working up to life skills and a return to normal life. There are centers that are specifically for a particular gender, such as one for women, in Costa Mesa, California, which is a private pay facility. There are also county-funded programs, with managed care options.
Because of the frequency of the problem of overcrowding, in the prison system, by alcohol and drug abuse people, the legislation introduced Proposition 36, which sends many people with this problem into rehabilitation, rather than prison. This has caused a dramatic increase in the number of rehabilitation centers in the state. In addition, because it is acknowledged that it is difficult for addicts to remain drug or alcohol free, in some cases there is monitoring and inpatient residential programs after treatment.
Among the many rehab centers in California, there are a number that are sponsored by religious organizations. One of the most successful of this type of rehab center has a program is directed toward young teens with alcohol and drug problems. It offers housing, treatment, training and other guidance not only to teens but to children and adults as well.
This program, as well as similar ones, has been very successful and has been copied by other cities throughout the United States. It is felt that, by treating people, the younger the better, lives can be improved by being free of alcohol or drug abuse. When completing a program, reinforcement must be continued for a long time if it is to be successful.
Alcohol and drug abuse affects everyone in the country, and every level of life. In California, alone, it takes hundreds of thousands of dollars to fight the problem, that could better be used for things such as education. California rehab centers are at the front in treatment of people with this problem but there is still a long way to go.

For Christians who are interested in furthering their careers in business, as well as in learning Christian based principles of leadership, an MBA from a Christian university or college is the way to go.

There are a variety of such programs available around the United States. Graduate degree programs for Christians, in particular those seeking an MBA specialty degree, are available from both online and physical college or university campuses.

A good example of a Christian MBA program offered online to continuing education students who wish to study from the convenience and privacy of their own homes with an online degree program. Their studies are intended and created to build up a next generation of leaders in business who are interested in establishing a greater standard of morality, professionalism, and integrity in the business world and market place.

With all of this in mind, the MBA curriculum concentrates on the practice, as well as theory, of leadership. It is created with an end goal in mind of combining faith and the skills and knowledge that students learn while in the classroom. The various students are charged with connecting Biblical ideas and businesses discussion concepts varying from business law to strategic marketing to accounting practices, all through assignments which are experimental in nature, as well as practical chances for real world application.

All of this is done with a desired final goal of training MBA graduates who possess more than only critically needed management and business acumen and skills. In compliment, essential leadership capabilities which help the graduates to stand head and shoulder above their peers in the marketplace are encouraged.

This is helpful for any Christian leader who seeks to start up his or her own business, to switch to a different industry, or to obtain a management position of greater responsibility. Among the many advantages to be had with this type of program are classes which are held on weekends or at night, after the individual gets home from work.

by MDGovpics

Urban Miss Jiang did not expect much, a few days,

Home Appliances

The recovery of prices will shrink so much, and Jiu Jiadian recycling prices generally declined.

Jiu Jiadian “value” suddenly shrink

9 30, Miss Jiang and his companions in the urban areas, a large store to buy household appliances. Miss Jiang bought a 3,500 yuan in

Samsung

TV

And 4,500 yuan Siemens

Refrigerator

.

Sales staff told her, the state issued a “

TM to

“The new policy. If Miss Jiang has Jiujia Dian, then the price of new appliances can then enjoy a 10% subsidy. Miss Jiang from the mall a” national “TM” sales, recycling successful enterprise “booklet see, “

TV

Machine subsidy cap to 400 yuan / sets, refrigerators 300 yuan / Taiwan. “This means that she bought two pieces of home appliances, could save another 600 dollars.

“Not only this, recovery workers take away Jiujia Dian home when you have to pay a Jiu Jiadian recovery money.” Sales said. Booklet on the show, a 17-inch computer monitor recycling price is 40 yuan.

Miss Jiang, 2 an old monitor, count TM, less able to pay a total of 680. Miss Jiang and his companions on that day they agreed to apply for the “TM” business.

10 17, there are door staff to handle towing procedures, taking away the Jiujia Dian, but only one monitor to the Miss Jiang to pay 10 yuan.

“How a sudden drop of the price? What was not talked about a good?” Miss Jiang asked.

“Now Jiujia Dian recovery price drop down.” Words thrown the staff, they towed the machine.

“One monitor on the value of 10 yuan, which is too cheap a.” Miss Jiang puzzled. This display usually sell second-hand goods market, to sell a 7 80 yuan.

Price of the supermarkets Jiujia Dian

Heavy Recovery

Reporter went to this store, apply for the “TM” business related personnel to reporters produced a list, identifying the various Jiujia Dian recovery price. “This is starting from October 1 implementation.” Recycling staff acknowledged a general lowering of prices, this list is also the Jinhua area of the store came Ministry, at present they can only be handled in accordance with the price. Staff also said that Jiu Jiadian the cost of recycling has regional differences, before the Miss Jiang was in Beijing to see the prices, they will be higher.

10 20 journalists have general inquiries urban agriculture, the country over the United States and other home appliances store, get the same recognition that the recovery of our city’s Jiu Jiadian general price decline.

Industry that is “

Zhejiang

“Standard

Phnum appliances staff cited an example of the previous 21-inch color TV, customers who participate in TM, the recovery of the price it was 30 yuan, 10 yuan and now it is.

“Adjustment ’11’ a few days before.”

Gome

Fan manager said that some prices are even up, but there are a lot of drop. Fan manager, said the city is almost home appliances shopping malls full launch in August, “TM” business. At that time the cost of recycling is a reference to the implementation of Beijing, Zhejiang and did not put a specific price list. To September, the province introduced a Jiu Jiadian recovered only nominal price of the standard, they only refer to the implementation of the provisions of the province.

Fan manager added, to recover Jiu Jiadian the country identified the unit, is the successful informal enterprises.

Cocaine usage is a growing but often underestimated problem in the United States. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimated that approximately sixteen percent of the US population had experimented with cocaine. Cocaine use doesn’t tend to receive the media coverage of say prescription drug abuse, it is none the less a widespread and serious issue. The size of the issue has resulted in specialist prevision designed to tackle this addiction, in the form of Cocaine drug rehab.

Fortunately there are now a number of different options available for those seeking help with their cocaine addiction. Anyone looking for such help should seek professional assistance as soon as possible. The damage caused by long term cocaine addiction is severe, and the level of addiction will need to be treated differently on a case by case basis. A rehab center can help formulate a plan and treatment program that will put the user on the road to recovery.

The most effective treatments will work on an in-patient basis. As an impatient the user will be able to go through a thorough detox program so that they can get the cocaine out of the system. This stage of the recovery is hard, however is very effective on an in-patient basis as the user is not able to acquire any drugs. Rehab centers also tend to offer support groups, which will contain others who are going through the same process. The ability to share your feelings and experiences with others in the same situation is an important aspect of removing chemical dependency and reaching sobriety.

At this stage there is no formal cocaine addiction specific medicine available. Drugs with have traditionally been used for other conditions such as both Selegiline, which is and Alzheimer’s treatment and Disulfiram which is used to treat alcoholism, have been proven to help with Cocaine abuse. Antidepressants are also often prescribed to deal with mood swings and anxiety, both of which are prevalent withdrawal symptoms.

Counseling and behavioral therapy is also commonly used to deal with the addiction. Cognitive behavioral coping skills lessons are provided to help the user cope with the withdrawal from their addiction. Cognitive behavior treatment is very effective as it helps the user identify and prevent placing themselves in situations where by they are likely to start using cocaine again. Cocaine drug rehab provides the best methods and support available to those looking to rid themselves of their addiction.