3.08.2011

Great minds think differently

From Ruth Orbach of Enke. Make your mark

After an amazing brain storming session with our Enke friends.

Great minds think differently

"...On Friday the enke team piled out of the office and into the car and headed out to Eldorado Park in Soweto. It was an early start; all team members were on the road by 6.30 a.m. ..." click here

South Africa Emzingo Internship

IE Business Press Release:

MBA Students Find Social Value in South African Immersion

Students arrive at business school with the desire to have an impact on society, to make a difference in the world. This term, a group of International MBAs at IE Business School have the opportunity to do just that - with an internship in Johannesburg.... more here

South Africa Emzingo Internship Jessica Nadolski

Excerpts from Jessica Nadolski's "MBAs Beyond Borders: The Emzingo Experience in South Africa"

"How the Emzingo Experience Changes You

Emzingo has helped us have a powerful and practical experience during our MBA. We have made our "International MBA" truly international. Through the structure of the team, the cultural and educational sessions, and the personal experience of addressing social issues in a 3rd world country, we are now fully engaged in changing ourselves to become change agents out in the world. Emzingo has created a program that delivers the opportunity and the power to learn, experience, and grow into a global leader.

The first day in South Africa, Andrew took us to the Apartheid Museum. I think for many of our generation, it is sometimes hard to understand how people can hate so much based on so little. For most of us, we read about things like Apartheid, the Holocaust, and we wonder how it can happen, and how it can take so long to stop it. In the world that we are living in now, there seems to be no excuse to not be informed or to not take action against what is wrong. But we as we learn about events from the past, I am hopeful that we will develop enough courage and respect for all people and cultures to avoid future events of such magnitude. So that our children never have to set foot in a museum designed to educate them about the horrors and actions of their parents. But then you begin to think about the smaller things, like what we are seeing today in South Africa. How do we address it? How do we change it? How do we begin to engage others to want to change it? How will we lead ourselves, our companies, our communities to have a global impact?

Many people around the globe sit in such impoverished conditions, yet we all go about our daily lives unaffected. Its not to say that we don't care, or aren't concerned. But we tend to develop an "out-of sight, out-of-mind" mindset. You get up, go to work, take care of children and the house, run errands, maybe support a local NGO or charitable organization - but the situations that are facing millions of people around the globe, such as poverty, poor health, lack of resources, lack of proper medication, violence - do not become part of your own reality. The experience with Emzingo has begun to change that mindset. We are living in this reality, working directly with the people facing these situations. Without this first-hand experience, would we ever have really been able to take it all in the same way? Personal experience and social interaction is so powerful.

Emzingo has made this experience personal, powerful, and hopefully perpetual - something that we will all take with us when we go. We will take a new view of each other, a new view of the reality of the world in which we live and our role in changing it, a new perspective of the social sector, and a new mindset that will enable us to jump head-first into the ocean of possibilities and challenges of bridging the roles of private and public sectors. I have faith that we will all engage this new mindset in whatever job we hold, in whatever company we work, and in our interactions with others so that this personal experience goes global and the change becomes viral."

- Jessica Nadolski

South Africa Emzingo Internship Jessica Nadolski

Excerpts from Jessica Nadolski's "MBAs Beyond Borders: The Emzingo Experience in South Africa"

Thanks Jess!

"What happens when you take 13 MBA students from a top international business school, representing 12 different nationalities, and immerse them into the South African culture? To be honest, chaos! We have had moments of frustration that pierce the laughter...personal interactions with some of the most impoverished communities in the world...wild animals that have forgotten their role in our picture-taking tour...and moments of high emotion and personal reflection in this 3rd world country which is as challenged as it is enchanted.

On Working with NGOs

....At times the goals are unclear, or the organization may not know exactly what they want or need. And it is our challenge to understand their needs, deal with the ambiguity of the situation, and provide them with an end product that is both practical and sustainable. For some of us, this is our first consulting role. It is very different coming into a situation, being careful not to point out shortcomings, but rather focus on selling a beneficial solution in a non-threatening manner.

It requires the use of a different skill set, one which we have not used much during our team interactions during the MBA. So practicing and building our negotiation skills and mastering the art of persuasion to inspire and accept change is fascinating. For some of us, the working conditions facilitate a business-like approach to our communication and teamwork. For others, who are working in impoverished neighborhoods, lack the infrastructure that is typically present and therefore must become more resourceful in their approach.

On Continuous Change

... How does an experience like this change you? It is difficult to tell exactly. Sometimes you can feel it, sometimes others can experience it, but usually it is a continuous process. This experience is some ways is a catalyst for a certain type of personal change that we all desired. Sure we all wanted to experience South Africa in terms of wildlife, culture, and beaches. Yet there was something grander driving us to seek and accept this challenge brought to us by Emzingo.

Andrew and Ramon selected 13 individuals who are all fascinating and dedicated to learning, experiencing, and reflecting. We have created a unique team dynamic and are sharing an experience, full of ups and downs, that will shape our personal lives and leadership styles. Experiencing this type of culture, poverty, and working environment first hand will have a lasting effect on each of us. And although it may not yet be clear how we are changing as individuals, it is clear that what we have seen here, what we are doing here, will have an impact on our lives and the lives of the individuals with whom we are interacting. " --Jessica Nadolski

More to come..

South Africa Emzingo Internship Andrew Bonfiglio

From our Emzingo friend and founder:

“…essence of authentic leadership: find something you are passionate about and then inspire others to join the cause.” - B. George, True North

After having our last Emzingo Group, January 2011 program session this afternoon, I think it is fitting to share one of my favorite quotes. It has been an honor and privilege to work with such talented individuals and incredible organizations in 2011.

Thanks for everything!

- Drew

South Africa Emzingo Internship

Amazing Memories... thanks guys.

South Africa Emzingo Internship Carlos Rosa

Photograph and quote from my colleague, friend and Emzingo fellow Carlos Rosa ín the Emzingo Group NexGen Official Blog.:

“I chose this picture because I think that it shows perfectly the most emotional moment in my life....”

Follow the link.

South Africa Emzingo Internship Lisandro Macarrulla

From my friend and Emzingo Fellow Lisandro Macarrulla in PUSH organization. Soweto, Johannesburg.

"Throughout my life I felt that I was one of the few people (in my circle) who really had his feet on the ground and knew the reality of life, and this Emzingo experience in PUSH (Persevere Until Something Happens - an NGO in Soweto that works with people with HIV/AIDS in the local community) has proved me wrong. I felt after that I had spent my whole life living in a bubble - that things I saw at PUSH didn’t exist.

I chose this picture because the girl’s eyes, her smile, her whole body and face transmit to me how I feel about life now. Even though she might be infected or affected by HIV/AIDS there is always hope and joy in life and that - at some points - can be kind of blurry and confusing but at the end just one smile can change your world. Photograph (http://emzingogroup.tumblr.com/day/2011/03/07)

On few occasions in my life have I heard people saying “that it is impossible to change the world”, I honestly believe that is true, it is impossible to change the whole world, but what I learned throughout my experience at PUSH is that each person in this world lives in his own world and if you help to change just one person, believe me, you can change his/her world.

PUSH and Emzingo, Thank you for this amazing and unique experience I will always remember it!"

-Lisandro J. Macarrulla

South Africa Emzingo Internship Dina Haddad (PUSH)

From my friend and Emzingo fellow Dina Haddad.

"Today, as the program comes to an end, I can feel a mixture of emotions of happiness and sadness that fill the hallways as we all pack to leave Stay City (our home away from home while living in Johannesburg).

The past six weeks have made us all experience something that cannot really be explained. The most amazing of all is the passion we were able to feel throughout these six weeks.

As we were heading back from our final day at PUSH, I was filled with an inner feeling of satisfaction – knowing that even though it was just a presentation of our recommendations, we were able to help people at PUSH look at things in another perspective which will help the organization take big steps to develop and grow its operation and reach out to the needs in the community of Soweto.

Working at PUSH for six weeks was one of the best experiences of my life. My first few days, I couldn’t grasp the fact that we will be surrounded by people and children who are infected or affected by HIV/AIDS. But today I see a story behind each child, each caregiver and each individual at PUSH. And with all the harsh realities they live with, they still face everyday with a smile, with an aim to live and laugh their troubles away.

I will miss our rides to Soweto every morning, the colorful fences and umbrellas that wait for us at PUSH, the great lunches that were cooked for us and most importantly the children who arrive one by one to have lunch and start preparing for their activities.

We have been blessed to have an experience that opened our eyes to the things we take for granted in life. We end this program feeling happy of our experience, our accomplishments yet sad to be saying goodbye."

- Dina Haddad, January 2011 Emzingo Fellow

South Africa Emzingo Internship Vicky Hughes (KYP)

From one of the most amazing people in the world, my friend and Emzingo fellow Virginia Hughes:

"Memorable moments in South Africa I have millions…and this is one of them.

Holding this baby, after watching 400 kids waiting to be served the only meal they have in the day, I ask myself: why is it that some people like me are so lucky and these kids since they are born have a future that is so hard to face?

Thinking of all the things I have, a house, an actual home, a loving family that encourages and support me in every moment of my life, a school to where I will always belong, decisions to make because I actually have alternatives…and having so many more things that I am not even conscious I have…this makes me realize that the day I was born, I had a gift.

I see every day 400 kids, who are hungry and dirty, who don’t have a mom who takes care of them, feeds them and wraps them when they are cold, or a father who gives them advice and makes them feel safe….and I think, what can I do for them, how can I share my gift with them? I feel frustrated, they are too many, and poverty has gone too far…

But then, after 5 weeks in KYP I think that every minute you give to them, even if it is just a smile, it is worth for them just because it is happy moment for their lives.

This is one of those moments. The baby sleeps in my arms instead of on the floor where he was, I sing to him and make him feel special at least for some minutes….and once again I think it is worth."

Thank you Vicky, I have learned so much from you. Pablo.

2.22.2011

South Africa Emzingo Internship Pablo Esteves (SSP)

Tuesday, February 22nd

As we start wrapping up the projects, and begin the countdown to our final deliverable, I find suitable to share an abstract of my thoughts on our final deliverable:

“As MBA IE Business students we were given the opportunity and the privilege of being considered to take part of the Emzingo NexGen Fellowship Program…

…With this privilege and opportunity comes responsibility and accountability to make a difference. We never imagined that the six week program would teach us and enrich our lives in such way that we leave South Africa feeling nothing but the outmost gratitude.

We have worked and learned from some of the most wonderful people in the world, we leave with friends, fond memories and life changing experiences….” -- Pablo Esteves

2.17.2011

South Africa Emzingo Internship Caroline Muito (SSP)

From my Emzingo Fellow Caroline Muito at the Student Sponsorship Programme.

"Contrary to popular belief, the Emzingo Fellows 2011 are working and making a difference in South Africa.

One striking thing is in the brief time (4 weeks) we have been here, we have learnt substantially and expanded our networks.

We are exploiting these avenues to provide solutions to our respective organization." -- Caroline Muito

2.16.2011

South Africa Emzingo Internship Andrew Bonfiglio

Excellent Photograph by our fierce leader Andrew Bonfiglio while visiting Cape of Good Hope. Not even the Baboons can stop us.

http://emzingogroup.tumblr.com/day/2011/02/16

2.15.2011

South Africa Emzingo Internship Anabel Lopez (KYP)

From my Emzingo Fellow Anabel Lopez in Kliptown Youth Project.

"After being in South Africa for 3 weeks I have many things in my mind and heart that I don’t even know where to start. This country has made a deep impression in me, I´ve found some of the friendliest people I’ve ever met. The project where I’m working is amazing. Kliptown is located in one of the poorest areas of Soweto, with no electricity, running water, paved roads, or sanitation whatsoever; nevertheless, there is a group of angels who do incredible things for the community.

Being used to “perceived as given” luxuries like bathrooms, AC, dining rooms, or even variety in food selection, makes every moment a challenge, a transforming experience. The saddest thing being that we take many of these things for granted, and we don’t usually stop to realize that the majority of the people in the world do not have access to the most basic things. We are the rare ones, the privileges, and definitely the world is upside down… These people live in conditions that for us are unacceptable but they are able to get up every day with a smile in their face wanting to make things different…it’s just amazing!

Working in Kliptown has made me realize that if we could transfer some of the management and corporate knowledge to the poor communities and their leaders many things could be done, they have the best intentions and ideas but they lack some important knowledge…so if we, the ones who were lucky enough to get an education could share some of the things we know with them the world will definitely change.

Bittersweet anecdote, a few days ago we went into the kindergarten next to where we work and all the kids came to hug and play with us, they are so cute!!! I am in love with them… so at a given moment I was surrounded by 10 kids who were all grabbing my arms and literally squeezing my skin… only because we are white, for them we are like outsiders, it’s appalling… we’re in 2011 and this is a country that has at least 5 million whites….then the teacher comes reprimanding the kids. Her reasoning, they have to understand that even though you are white we’re all the same. I ponder when there will be a time when that explanation isn’t needed and being equals is a given.

These three weeks have been some of the most interesting, challenging and amazing days of my life…I am sure I will remember them forever and always keep a very special place in my heart for the people I have met in Soweto, they are a great inspiration…and I am their greatest admirer!"

Anabel.

2.08.2011

South Africa Emzingo Internship

On the 9th day (Friday 28th) of the Emzingo Experience we visited the Fashion District:

Here is Andrew Bonfiglio's take on that. Visit the Emzingo Group NexGen Blog

Emzingo Fellows supporting the local economy during our tour of the Johannesburg CBD (Central Business District) at the Fashion District

Looking good!