Leaving Microsoft to Change the World by John Wood (#4)

John realizes that is just not possible to wear all the hats and obtain the necessary funding that Room to Read requires. Rather than looking for a few extremely wealthy donors - thus having "all the eggs in one basket" - John sets up networks in each of the major wealthy cities around the world to obtain funds from several people.

"Not everyone in the world wants to 'pull a John Wood' and quit their job to go save the world. But there are thousands, maybe millions, of people who are making good money and want something more from life than a cereer success. They're the people Thoman Friedman refers to as super-empowered individuals." (Page 155)

"...everyone on the globe where the are people with money, Room to Read would be pitching them to help fund our goal of universal education." (Page 156)

John Wood shares some of the stories of success and failure as he learns that there truly needs to be a "fire in the belly" of those he entrusts to run the various city networking groups. He also is being faced with the realization that he is working 80 hours a week and not leaving time for anyhing else - including himself or to care about anything other than his passion: Room to Read. He wonders if Bill Gates, who often appears "a mess" may be similar - so passionate about his cause that nothing else matters. This is certainly a full circle from John's experience with Bill Gates China visit in the first part of the book.

In the third section of this book we learn that $250 can purchase a year long scholarship for a girl in an underdeveloped country. While it is certainly important to educate all young children John Wood shares some statistics and other study facts that help us, the general population, understand that it is vital to get young girls/women to become literate. They are, after all, the backbone of many families and if the mother is educated - she can be a better provider and read to her children and be sure they are educated.

Note: I will be out of town on Saturday and Sunday but will read the remaining pages of this book to satisfy the requirement and post on Sunday evening.

Have a good weekened!