Share your thoughts on The Blue Sweater with Jacqueline here

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Permalink Reply by Yasmina Zaidman on January 28, 2010 at 10:20am

I just wanted to say, I loved the photos from the Kibera event. The idea that this book is inspiring people in the slums to come together to improve their community, because it is they who have inspired us!

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Permalink Reply by Michael Ivey on January 28, 2010 at 4:31pm

Jacqueline,
I first heard the story of "The Blue Sweater" while watching your speech at TED in 2007 online last year. Even despite the fact that my career does not come close to the areas of non-profit and microfinance, (though one day I hope it will!) your story followed by a reading of your book last year, honestly changed me.

Changed my perspective on the role of aid, changed my perspective on how I spend the money I earn, and even changed the way I donate to non-profits. A change that, at the very least, has resulted in multiple purchases of your book for friends (even blogged about it here).

I found "The Blue Sweater" to be engaging, refreshingly candid and obviously well informed. One of the passages that sums up my main takeaway from the book is the following:

"After more than 20 years of working in African, India, and Pakistan, I've learned that solutions to poverty must be driven by discipline, accountability, and market strength, not easy sentimentality. I've learned that many of the answers to poverty lie in the space between the market and charity and that what is needed most of all is moral leadership willing to build solutions from the perspectives of poor people themselves rather than imposing grand theories and plans upon them."

Indeed.

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Permalink Reply by Nikki Hunt on January 31, 2010 at 11:42am

I purchased the Blue Sweater the week it came out. I thought it was an incredible read. I liked how you honestly spoke about your experiences and the challenges you faced. You have a very inspirational story that will help a lot of people find purpose.

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Permalink Reply by Karen E Gates on February 1, 2010 at 3:31pm

I so appreciated the book's introduction to the writings (that is, "wisdom") of John Gardner. Your account of the impression Gardner made on you made an impression on me, so I looked up his work and read "Self Renewal" (with a subtitle that refers to innovation and society). I found the quality and constructiveness of Gardner's thinking extraordinary. I really could have used the perspective in this book when I was in midst of completing master of public policy degree. A couple of favorite quotes:

"The fact that we are not always faithful to these shared values does not
indicate confusion nor a failure of the consensus. We know the values to
which we are being unfaithful. This society is suffering not from confusion
but from infidelity."

"We should be telling (young people) that each generation refights the
crucial battles and either brings new vitality to the ideals or allows them
to decay. The moral order is a living, changing thing ... and never any
better than the generation that holds it in trust. The tasks of renewal are
endless."

Thanks for the Blue Sweater, your work, and for keeping John Gardner's ideas alive.

Sincerely,
Karen Gates
Ann Arbor, Michigan

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Permalink Reply by Jacqueline Novogratz on February 5, 2010 at 5:55am

Thanks so much to you for your lovely note. I really do think about John daily and would love to see his wisdom more commonly heard and understood - for his was really uncommon wisdom!....Thanks for believing and for taking the time to reach out, Jacqueline

Jacqueline Novogratz said:

Karen E Gates said:

I so appreciated the book's introduction to the writings (that is, "wisdom") of John Gardner. Your account of the impression Gardner made on you made an impression on me, so I looked up his work and read "Self Renewal" (with a subtitle that refers to innovation and society). I found the quality and constructiveness of Gardner's thinking extraordinary. I really could have used the perspective in this book when I was in midst of completing master of public policy degree. A couple of favorite quotes:

"The fact that we are not always faithful to these shared values does not
indicate confusion nor a failure of the consensus. We know the values to
which we are being unfaithful. This society is suffering not from confusion
but from infidelity."

"We should be telling (young people) that each generation refights the
crucial battles and either brings new vitality to the ideals or allows them
to decay. The moral order is a living, changing thing ... and never any
better than the generation that holds it in trust. The tasks of renewal are
endless."

Thanks for the Blue Sweater, your work, and for keeping John Gardner's ideas alive.

Sincerely,
Karen Gates
Ann Arbor, Michigan

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Permalink Reply by Jacqueline Novogratz on February 5, 2010 at 5:57am

Thanks so much, Michael. It will be interesting to hear about your own journey with its own twists and turns. Thanks as well for blogging... means a lot, Jacqueline

Michael Ivey said:

Jacqueline,
I first heard the story of "The Blue Sweater" while watching your speech at TED in 2007 online last year. Even despite the fact that my career does not come close to the areas of non-profit and microfinance, (though one day I hope it will!) your story followed by a reading of your book last year, honestly changed me.

Changed my perspective on the role of aid, changed my perspective on how I spend the money I earn, and even changed the way I donate to non-profits. A change that, at the very least, has resulted in multiple purchases of your book for friends (even blogged about it here).

I found "The Blue Sweater" to be engaging, refreshingly candid and obviously well informed. One of the passages that sums up my main takeaway from the book is the following:

"After more than 20 years of working in African, India, and Pakistan, I've learned that solutions to poverty must be driven by discipline, accountability, and market strength, not easy sentimentality. I've learned that many of the answers to poverty lie in the space between the market and charity and that what is needed most of all is moral leadership willing to build solutions from the perspectives of poor people themselves rather than imposing grand theories and plans upon them."

Indeed.

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Permalink Reply by Jacqueline Novogratz on February 6, 2010 at 7:44am

thanks so much - it was truly one of the most affirming events of my life - felt like we were sharing sacred ground...J


Yasmina Zaidman said:

I just wanted to say, I loved the photos from the Kibera event. The idea that this book is inspiring people in the slums to come together to improve their community, because it is they who have inspired us!

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Permalink Reply by Jacqueline Novogratz on February 6, 2010 at 7:44am

thanks so much for making time to read it and we love your feedback. Do let us know how we might reach more people, too. warmly Jacqueline

Nikki Hunt said:

I purchased the Blue Sweater the week it came out. I thought it was an incredible read. I liked how you honestly spoke about your experiences and the challenges you faced. You have a very inspirational story that will help a lot of people find purpose.

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Jacqueline Novogratz on February 6, 2010 at 7:46am

I don't see my reply to this - did you get it and am I just missing it? thanks - I just love - and appreciate your story! Jacqueline

Michael Ivey said:

Jacqueline,
I first heard the story of "The Blue Sweater" while watching your speech at TED in 2007 online last year. Even despite the fact that my career does not come close to the areas of non-profit and microfinance, (though one day I hope it will!) your story followed by a reading of your book last year, honestly changed me.

Changed my perspective on the role of aid, changed my perspective on how I spend the money I earn, and even changed the way I donate to non-profits. A change that, at the very least, has resulted in multiple purchases of your book for friends (even blogged about it here).

I found "The Blue Sweater" to be engaging, refreshingly candid and obviously well informed. One of the passages that sums up my main takeaway from the book is the following:

"After more than 20 years of working in African, India, and Pakistan, I've learned that solutions to poverty must be driven by discipline, accountability, and market strength, not easy sentimentality. I've learned that many of the answers to poverty lie in the space between the market and charity and that what is needed most of all is moral leadership willing to build solutions from the perspectives of poor people themselves rather than imposing grand theories and plans upon them."

Indeed.

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Permalink Reply by Wendy Jo Wallace on February 8, 2010 at 3:36pm

Jacqueline,

I also loved the photos from the Kibera event, and noticed that you said that you were asked some tough questions that night. I think it would be powerful to hear more about the questions they were asking. What are their fears, doubts, hopes? What are the barriers they are most concerned about?

Sincerely,
Wendy

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Permalink Reply by Reina Govindarajan on February 13, 2010 at 12:53pm

Jacqueline,

Your booked rocked my world--it left me touched, moved, and inspired. I am in awe of all that you have accomplished and aspire to make a lasting impact on this world just as you have. Thank you for sharing your story.

Love and Light,
Reina

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Permalink Reply by Jacqueline Novogratz on February 14, 2010 at 3:18am

Thanks so much - I actually wrote a journal about the event - and about the week in general. I've asked my team to attach pictures to it and we hope to get it out this week along with my update letter. Thanks much J

Wendy Jo Wallace said:

Jacqueline,

I also loved the photos from the Kibera event, and noticed that you said that you were asked some tough questions that night. I think it would be powerful to hear more about the questions they were asking. What are their fears, doubts, hopes? What are the barriers they are most concerned about?

Sincerely,
Wendy

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