Much like Lisa, whom I met in Vietnam in what seems like forever ago, Ben and Anne went about their project with much more planning, strategy, and professionalism than I have. The main result of which is the fact that their trip is sponsored in large part by socially conscious companies. It helps that Ben works in the field, but I imagine it was the 10 months of preparation, cold-calling, and thought that really did the trick. It likely also helps that they have a real value proposition for the companies that are sponsoring them – they are going around the world to see how social enterprises are functioning in different countries and then to advise companies in their own country (including their sponsors) on how best to support, operate, or otherwise be involved in social enterprise.
I suppose a quick paragraph of explanation would be in order here. Social enterprises refers to a rather new concept (or perhaps a newly faddish concept) that I first heard about when listening to Muhammed Yunnus, of microfinance/Banker to the Poor fame, speak in LA. Pushing past the idea of a triple bottom line (which, let’s be honest, in most cases ends up being a bottom line plus a couple other considerations if those considerations don’t impact the actual bottom line) social enterprise aims to create businesses that are not concerned with making a monetary profit in the traditional sense. Instead, they use other metrics to measure their success, usually metrics that are closely aligned with their intended social purpose or goal; children educated, or shoes distributed, or decrease in incidences of malaria for example. Yet, unlike traditional non-profits who seek funding from outside sources, social enterprises must be completely self-sufficient. Thus, they are not against selling products or cash transactions – they are just not designed to actually make a profit.
In any case, what Ben and Anne are doing is really cool. They are traveling the world and working towards a good cause at the same time, and unlike many of the “traveler-volunteers” here in Africa, they do not have any delusions of grandeur about the amazing impact they are making on the world. Humble and modest, Ben and Anne are going around to actually see how people in some of the poorest parts of the world are innovating and how developed countries can actually help.
Beyond just the interesting work and the jealously-inducing funding of the trip, Ben and Anne were interesting to me also for the fact that our two hour conversation also encompassed many of the themes that I’m thinking about for Backpacking in a Suit. Namely, we talked about the idea of contentedness and the increasing dissatisfaction that people our age seem to have with their life trajectory. Ben asserted that in his country, young people are perhaps rejecting what they now see as their parents’ misguided obsession with working hard, earning money, and seeking stability, often at the expense of their own happiness. I think in some ways he is right, and this is the case in America too. Thus, young people are being more selfish, more short-sighted, and less willing to make sacrifices.
Yet as most of the people I’ve met on this journey have shown – sacrifices are inevitable. Son and Trang, in search of opportunity, have to move to Europe, away from their family and friends. Alejandra in Manila is pursuing the career of her dreams but is at a loss with how to find a meaningful relationship. My friend Matthieu seems to have the life he wants as a career diplomat, but what happens to his children as they get older and have to keep moving around? For me, I guess I will have to just accept that my ideal situation is unlikely to unfold and then begin to decide what sort of sacrifices I am okay with making… right?
2 comments:
Interesting thoughts, Wayne. Part of me totally feels you. Part of me has this knee-jerk adverse reaction. Much like challenge is the flip side of opportunity, I wonder if sacrifice is the flip side of something... the window to finding out what is really important to you?
One of the things that I think is interesting is how easy it is to drift into the mode of thinking about sacrifice and compromise and the things that we must give up or lose (I do it all the time). Why is it so much harder to self-guide back to a place of balance and contentedness, then it is to have other people put up a mirror and remind you?
I think that although previous generations were somewhat forced to grow up faster than our generation, younger people always tend to be more selfish and more short-sighted, at any point in history. You realize you have to make sacrifices gradually, as you get older, as you discover what is important to you in life. I think that our generation just realizes this later, towards our 30s :).
In the end, I think that contentedness and happiness is rather a more individual and personal thing, than a generational one. Maybe we just tend to see the people of our own age less contented and balanced because we know intimately more people of our own generation, with all their doubts and sacrifices.
On another note, what Ben and Anne are doing is indeed so cool!!! :)
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