Posted on Aug 21, 2020
"Offering a new model for 21st century NGOs, Asili combines big-picture thinking and individual understanding." — Prof. Jeanne M. Liedtka, UVA Darden
Posted on Aug 20, 2020
"The ECI-Asili merger, while still a work in progress, offers a useful perspective for any philanthropy that sees an opportunity to have more impact." — Kris Putnam-Walkerley, Forbes
Posted on Aug 19, 2020
This is a big week for Eastern Congo Initiative. We’re officially announcing our acquisition of the Asili business model. Nespresso is releasing a new single-origin coffee grown exclusively by our partner co-ops in South Kivu. And the work we do with public and private partnerships is receiving a prestigious honor.
Posted on Aug 19, 2020
Today Nespresso is launching a new organic single-origin coffee, grown exclusively by ECI’s partner Congolese cooperatives. At the heart of this partnership is Asili, ECI's new and transformative platform for social enterprise.
Posted on May 19, 2020
Months ago, Un Jour Nouveau (UJN), a local community organization in the Congo, was planning to use $500 in capital from ECI to strengthen their dressmaking program, a social enterprise that helps women in North Kivu uplift their communities with training in business, leadership and in-demand skills. UJN planned to use half the money to set up a display of students’ handmade clothing at the 2020 Women Of Congo exhibition, and to use the other $250 to buy fabric and supplies. As the pandemic overtook their plans, the women’s entrepreneurial agility transformed that $500 grant into infinitely more.
Posted on May 11, 2020
Living in conditions of fragility and scarcity is a profound misfortune, to be sure. But misfortune survived turns into enduring wisdom. At this moment of global crisis, I want to share some simple ideas I have learned from a lifetime of partnership with people who have been through the unimaginable and survived.
Posted on May 01, 2020
Traditional humanitarian aid is built for emergencies, not for people. We know we can do better — because we do better every day. Even during the pandemic.
Posted on Apr 29, 2020
In DRC and other difficult places, where suffering is unavoidable, people find reasons to live with their suffering. I have seen people find the most sustaining reasons for living when living is hardest to bear.
Posted on Apr 27, 2020
As executive director of ECI, it gives me great pride to see that our teams in Congo are as committed as ever to serve their own people. Our programs are resilient, our staff is the best in the world, and our mission to serve the Congolese people is stronger than ever.
Posted on Apr 23, 2020
At this moment of global crisis, our executive wants to share some of the ideas he has learned from a lifetime of partnership with people who have been through the unimaginable and survived. At a time of confusion and despair, these ideas might help you find your way to clarity, and even hope. We're calling this series "How to Survive a Disaster."