Academic

So, if you've had any kind of conversation with me the past six months, you have probably heard me go on and on about my upcoming trip to Malawi.  Well, the trip that seemed a million years away is actually coming up quickly -- we leave on Thursday, September 17 and will return on Sunday, September 27!

I am going with the First Presbyterian Church of Champaign.  The trip has several facets to it, but the two that I'm most interested in are the microfinancing project and a water well project.  If anyone has "must reads" about microfinancing, let me know -- books or scholarly articles.  (I've read the popular Blue Sweater and Dead Aid.)  The church partners with Opportunity International, and we will be shadowing some of their borrowers there.  I am very excited to learn and observe.

This is my first foray into "extreme" travel -- no fancy hotels here, many times no electricity.  There is very little connectivity there, so don't expect any Malawi blogging until I'm back home.  But then, be prepared for the onslaught!