Nuru International

For Nuru What's the Big Idea, Anyway?

by Kari Dunn Saratovsky on 3 Feb 2009

Meet Janine, a passionate millennial with [what she describes as] some serious "righteous anger." But hey, that's ok.  We think that's what has prompted her and thousands like her to join the fight to end extreme poverty.   Read more about Janine's quest below and learn how Nuru International an "NGO 2.0" is mobilizing a new generation to help complete the work thats been started in Africa.

Name: Janine Dzuba
Location (or where you call home): Kuria, Kenya
About me in one sentence: Thankfully, I get to live my passion and dream that has been brewing in my heart for years!
What I'm reading: A book called Dating with Pure Passion - dating a great guy transcontinentally right now
Hidden Talent: Losing everything at least once a day - Phone, keys, pen, etc.
 
How has your personal journey led you to become involved with Nuru? 
Well, I had a desire to live a life of service - one that I could do with a team of people who were committed to the same type of vision as me. I wanted to see there be a sustainable change, empowerment of people, and to do it with cultural competence. I can't claim that all the incredible things that happened to get me here were merely coincidence - I truly believe this was something I was meant to do. I am thrilled that I get to live for something much bigger than myself, and work for some restoration in this crazy world. 
 
I saw on your website you consider Nuru an "NGO 2.0" – so, what exactly does that mean?
It means we're innovative...we aren't your usual NGO. We have a model that really empowers the people in the community to inform the process, and be involved from the beginning. We don't give handouts, we train and empower, and are dedicated to creating solutions that are sustainable within the community. We seek outside evaluation, and truly desire to bring the best of the best to the poorest of the poor. 
 
The fight against extreme poverty is something that we've struggled with for decades. What makes the Nuru model different and fresh?
A lot of things. One of my favorites is that we are willing to change course if something's not working. We aren't so wedded to an idea or a model that we can't adapt to a different environment. And we are constantly informed because we are WITH the community not OVER the community. We work side by side, and there's something just beautiful about that. We also are very committed to partnership, and currently have 5 NGOs and other for-profit organization partners.

What is the most important way that you would encourage the Millennial Generation to get involved in the fight against extreme poverty?
Find what makes you angry - righteous anger. What do you want to fight for? And spend some time with yourself to see who you are and take stock of what talents you have to get in the fight! There are so many avenues and so many people's gifts that are needed ... if you want to be a part of the revolution... know that YOU honestly can use your passion to make a huge impact.
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