WindLift Power

The New York Times nailed it with this recent article on focusing innovation on solving problems for poor people.

For example, one of the simplest and yet most elegant designs tackles a job that millions of women and girls spend many hours doing each year — fetching water. Balancing heavy jerry cans on the head may lead to elegant posture, but it is backbreaking work and sometimes causes crippling injuries. The Q-Drum, a circular jerry can, holds 20 gallons, and it rolls smoothly enough for a child to tow it on a rope.

Martin Fisher, the founder of KickStart, also had an excellent quote. Mr. Fisher is a real hero of mine, and I hope I am lucky enough to work with him someday. Please send those hard working folks a donation if you are feeling philanthropic. Your money will improve the lives of thousands of people.

“The No. 1 need that poor people have is a way to make more cash,” said Martin Fisher, an engineer who founded KickStart, an organization that says it has helped 230,000 people escape poverty. It sells human-powered pumps costing $35 to $95.