November 12th, 7:30pm, University Club, San Francisco
A letter from Leila Janah, Samasource Founder and CEO
Sama is a Sanskrit word for equal, and the origins of Samasource go back to my first experience in Africa, ten years ago. I’d received a scholarship from the Lorillard Tobacco Company (for, of all things, not smoking), and felt guilty about using it for college. So I finished high school, packed my bags, and used the funds to volunteer as a teacher at a small school for blind youth in West Africa. My students were incredibly bright and motivated, and after six months and a lot of long conversations, I came to an uncomfortable realization: I was rich and they were poor simply because I had won the birth lottery.
If you think we live in a global meritocracy, think again. Three billion people live on less than $2.50 a day. More than a billion people live in what is called “extreme, debilitating poverty” – less than $1.25 a day, which does not cover basic food, shelter, and education costs. These “bottom billon” live in countries where there are extremely limited economic opportunities and few jobs. If you happen to be born in Ghana with the abilities of Einstein, tough luck – chances are you’ll never have a chance to put your skills to use to earn an income for yourself.
All of the people I’ve met in the last decade in Africa, Asia and Latin America have told me the same thing: “I don’t want a handout. I want to work.” Work is a fundamental component of human dignity. The ability to earn money and the respect of one’s peers through work brings meaning and value to our lives. And yet, a great number of the world’s people – particularly women, youth, and refugees – are systematically denied the chance to work because they live in rural areas, or in refugee camps, or are members of low-status groups.
It is absolutely within our power to change this. We live in one of the richest corners of the richest country in the world. We can use the power that comes with this great privilege to level the playing field. We are not going to tackle global poverty by giving poor people handouts. Instead, let’s treat them as equals and offer them the same thing that you or I might want: an opportunity.
Thank you so much for attending our Gala and for believing in the message of giving work.
Sincerely,
Leila Janah, Founder & CEO, Samasource