Acumen turned 15 a few days after I had just arrived back home in Zimbabwe, 5 months into my Acumen Global Fellowship field work in India. I joined Acumen because I strongly believed (and still do) in its investment model and wanted to implement it back home in some form or shape.
As I arrived home, I was depressed to see how the country’s economy was deteriorating much faster than before; and how a significant population of the country were now living in poverty. (It is estimated that Zimbabwe has over 90% unemployment rate). I felt discouraged as my hopes melted within me. I could not see how we could turn around the dire situation that I was witnessing. It seemed a mammoth task that I could not summon. It seemed so many things need to be done and I had no idea where I would start if I were to try and tackle the problems on the ground. AND THEN Acumen turned 15…
I reflected on the work that I had seen first hand in the field as an Acumen Global Fellow, and what I had understood from conversations with other Acumen investees; I had seen the impact that was being made in the lives of people through the efforts of Acumen and other impact investors. The wheel was turning, even though it seemed slow and imperceptible, the real change was happening. This is the change in mindsets of all people poor or not, of governments, of suppliers and producers; a systematic change. Clearly something was and is happening and it is only a matter of time before we would see the major shift.
I felt encouraged and started looking at the odds differently. Immediate lessons where acknowledged; the kind of change we are working towards does not happen overnight and it does not happen when we work on it alone. I was wrong to even think I could make a difference on my own, but I understood that WE can. We need to just start somewhere, as now is the best time as any. We need to work together and collaborate with like minded people in business, non governmental organisations, government, schools; all sectors. We all have to play a part, and the wheel will turn faster than we can imagine.
The story of Acumen continues to inspire me and I am proud to be associated with this amazing family. A big congratulations to you Jacqueline and the team that supports you. You have made me believe in things that I once thought impossible. We can certainly change the way the world tackles poverty!!
