Inspiring Acumen Fund 2011 Fellows Part 3 of 3

As if social enterprises converting rice husks into an affordable energy source, providing access to affordable, critical health care and building quality housing for the poorest of the poor aren't impressive enough, the rest of the 2011 Acumen Fund Fellows' plans for the coming year will further enhance the lives of innumerable poor and underprivileged residents of the world.

Hailing from Kenya, Acumen Fellow Elizabeth Maina previously served as a systems and process improvement consultant for many major companies. She will be joining forces with Global Easy Water Products, (GEWP), a for-profit social enterprise focused on developing and delivering low-cost irrigation solutions to small farmers, who often don't benefit from technological advancements. With Maina's business savvy, Global Easy Water Products will enhance its distribution of affordable, drip irrigation products designed specifically to help smallholder farmers increase their available income, improve their nutrition and earn their way out of poverty.

Previously a CSR consultant at Ethos JWT, Sri Lanka native Bavidra Mohan will be going to Schenzen, China to advance low-cost solar light manufacturer, D. Light Design. Winner of the prestigious Ashden Award for Sustainable Energy 2010, D. Light Design recognized the need for cleaner, safer and cheap lighting for low-income households. Their products enable underprivileged households without reliable electricity an effective means to attain the same quality of life as those with electricity. By replacing kerosene lanterns with clean, safe and bright light, D.Light Design enhances the quality of life for the poor. Aided by Mohan's expertise, D. Light Design intends to brighten the lives of 10 million people by the end of 2010.

American consultant Wendy Wallace previously served as a field agent for Renew Strategies in Nairobi, Kenya. Her Acumen Fellowship will now take her to Hyderabad, India, supporting the maternity and child health care hospitals of LifeSpring, a for-profit health care provider chain. LifeSpring Hospitals Private Limited is a 50-50 equity partnership between HLL Lifecare Limited, a government of India enterprise formerly operating as Hindustan Latex Limited, and US-based Acumen Fund. As of February 2010, through its process-driven model more than 5,500 healthy Indian babies were delivered at a LifeSpring Hospital. Each LifeSpring facility is easily replicated in other locations, ensuring ease in future expansion. With highly developed, 180+ standardized processes, costs decrease with scale, high care volume and a well organized network, proving LifeSpring to be an enduring business model with long-term social returns.

Social enterprise and Fortune 500 consultant Benje Williams, of the US, gained invaluable experience supporting start-up SMEs in Nairobi, Kenya. Williams will be working with a company that provides access to clean, safe drinking water for low-income urban and peri-urban customers living in Lahore, Pakistan. The company provides the most basic commodity to life employing environmentally sustainable methodologies.

American Brenda Williams, President and CEO of GlobaLink Consulting, which specializes in business development, microfinance and organizational management services, will concentrate her skills to support the Andhra Pradesh, India operations of WaterHealth International. Incorporating a cost-effective technology designed especially to meet the needs of the poorest combined with an effective approach to social marketing and distribution, WaterHealth International provides access to safe, affordable water to more than half a million low-income people in 500 locations across 4 countries worldwide, including the poorest of communities. With the help of Williams expertise, WaterHealth intends to grow within existing markets, reaching out to millions more in need, treading new ground in more countries and continents in an effort to create lasting change by empowering communities with control over their own health, while satisfying the most basic of human needs and gaining the trust of those they serve.

These astonishing, accomplished 2011 Acumen Fund Fellows will continue to make breakthroughs in the areas of housing, agriculture, energy, health care and sustainability. Although sound business models and best practices include measurement modalities that quantify the impact of social enterprises, there is no objective way to calculate the impact of enhancing the quality of life for the poorest of the poor.

Photo credit: Chudo Sveta