Using Business to Lift People Out of Poverty: With Musana

On this episode, Eric and Laurie are joined by Andrea and Haril Kazindra, co-founders of Musana, along with Sam Mitchell, a supporter of Musana.

 

Andrea and Haril share their journey of starting an organization in Uganda to lift children out of poverty. They discuss the importance of using business to make a positive impact and the shift from traditional charity models to sustainable social enterprises. Musana has grown to include schools, hospitals, and economic empowerment programs, all sustained by locally generated income. They emphasize the need for communities to be empowered and for donors to invest in long-term solutions rather than providing direct aid. Sam Mitchell, a supporter of Musana, shares his own journey of faith and generosity.

 

About our Guests

 

Andrea's journey began in 2008 when she co-founded Musana, stepping into the role oflegal guardian for 80 children. Over the subsequent 16 years immersed in Ugandan life, she cultivated invaluable insights into community collaboration, essential for driving the success of grassroots initiatives.At the helm of MCDO as Co-CEO, Andrea assumes a multifaceted role, steering strategic vision, fostering growth, and cultivating a vibrant organizational ethos. Musana, under her stewardship, has evolved into a powerhouse of impact, boasting 14 sustainable enterprises spanning education, healthcare, and economic empowerment. These ventures, including schools, hospitals, restaurants, and guesthouses, provide livelihoods for 650 dedicatedUgandans.As Musana's chief advocate, Andrea champions fundraising, development, and oversees operations across the US and the UK. Her unwavering dedication to empowering local communities resonates through her passion for nurturing grassroots change agents.Andrea holds a bachelor's degree in Business Administration and Management from theUniversity of Colorado Boulder–Leeds School of Business. She fervently believes in business-driven solutions, advocating for investments in low-income communities over conventional handouts.Beyond her professional endeavors, Andrea finds joy in the simple pleasures of nature, travel, and the cherished role of motherhood.

About Haril 

For the past 16 years, Haril has been at the forefront of fostering sustainable business solutions within Ugandan communities. Having experienced poverty firsthand, he staunchly believes in the importance of self-reliance and independence over dependency on charity.In his capacity as Co-CEO, Haril wears many hats, casting the vision of the Musana model to local communities, overseeing enterprise implementation, managing operations, serving as the primary spokesperson, nurturing organizational culture, and supporting fundraising efforts. Under his leadership, Musana has flourished into a distinctive sustainable model, boasting 14 enterprises spanning education, healthcare, and economic empowerment.These endeavors, encompassing schools, hospitals, restaurants, and guesthouses, provide livelihoods for 650 dedicated Ugandans.

About Sam

Sam and his wife, Beth, reside in Lexington, KY, where they raised their four children, became involved in the community, and where Sam worked at Valvoline for 26 years. Sam’s community engagement includes working closely with Young Life, Habitat for Humanity, United Way of theBluegrass, and serving on the board for Transylvania University and the Dean’s AdvisoryCouncil at the University of Kentucky Gatton School of Business. When their kids were younger, coaching soccer teams and leading their Sunday School classes were highlights. He considers himself the primary beneficiary of hosting a men’s Bible Study for the last 20+ years.Sam also loves spending time outside, especially snow skiing and getting out on the lake inTraverse City, Michigan, with family and friends.Sam’s business career started in commercial banking, followed by nine years in brand and category management at Clorox in Oakland, CA, leading to his time at Valvoline. In 2002, Sam was named president of Valvoline, which, at the time, was a division of Ashland, Inc. After a period of significant growth in the retail and international businesses, Sam was named CEO and led Valvoline through an IPO spin process, becoming an independent company trading on theNYSE (“VVV”). He retired from Valvoline on September 30, 2023. Sam holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Miami University and an MBA from the University ofChicago Booth School of Business. He is also a graduate of Harvard Business School’sAdvanced Management Program.

Takeaways

• Using business to make a positive impact can lift people out of poverty.
• Shifting from traditional charity models to sustainable social enterprises empowers communities and promotes self-reliance.
• Investing in education, healthcare, and economic empowerment programs can create long-term impact.
• Donors should focus on investing in initiatives that address the root causes of poverty and empower local communities.
• Generosity goes beyond financial giving and includes sharing time, resources, and expertise.
• Building strong teams and cultures is essential for sustainable success.
• Whole life stewardship involves utilizing labor, influence, finances, and expertise to make a difference.
• The impact of generosity extends beyond the immediate beneficiaries and can transform entire communities.
• The goal is to create a world free of dependency and full of dignity.
• Radical sending and radical going are essential for making a generous kingdom impact.
• Abiding in Christ is the source of bearing much fruit and making a lasting impact.

Sound Bites

• "You could use business to lift the poorest people out of poverty."
• "The donor is investing into these enterprises that are the lifeblood of their economies."
• "Every time I'm really scared to do something is usually when I give God the opportunity to show what he can do."

Resources mentioned

www.musana.org