I wrote 'The Blue Sweater' to inspire more people to become engaged in working to solve the problems of global poverty.

The poor also are willing to make, and do make, smart decisions, if you give them that opportunity.

People need to believe that they can participate fully in the decisions that affect their lives and have a stake in the societies in which they live

As a young woman, I dreamed of changing the world. In my twenties, I went to Africa to try and save the continent, only to learn that Africans neither wanted nor needed saving. Indeed, when I was there, I saw some of the worst that good intentions, traditional charity, and aid can produce.

I believe the government should ensure all children are provided with a good education.

What we really yearn for as human beings is to be visible.

I still feel that the kind of leader I want to be is one that spends time understanding our work in a way that allows me to translate it for policymakers and people who have real access to resources.