Poverty is not only about income levels, but for lack of freedom that comes from physical insecurity

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

It's about all of us, and the kind of world that we, together, want to live in and share.

I have seen that traditional approaches to charity and aid don't solve problems of poverty. In fact, too often they create dependence.

We are connected to each other not only as humans, but to every living thing on the planet.

When we were walking through the narrow alleys [of the Mathare Valley slums], it was literally impossible not to step in the raw sewage and the garbage alongside the little homes. But at the same time it was also impossible not to see the human vitality, the aspiration and the ambition of the people who live there.

I feel like I'm a relentless, pragmatic, determined optimist.