The Ovarian Lottery
17 February 2009
I’ve been in Uganda for a week and a half now, working for a local MFI here called PEARL microfinance. During this time I’ve seen more action than I would have seen in 3 months back home. I’ve gone on a death defying motorcycle ride during a thunderstorm deep in the jungle, skidding through mud in 45deg declines and inclines (literally). I’ve witnessed the breathtaking beauty of the countrysides of Uganda — scenery that takes the cake from any other that I’ve seen in my 25 years, including Yosemite. I’ve gone on exciting adventures in the city with dozens of expatriates here similarly affected with a chronic restlessness and need for adventure.
But through it all, there is just one thing that stands out at the end of the day; something that occupies my mind during those quiet, solitary times in the evening just before going to bed. Its not the breathtaking views, the adventures in the city, or even the near death experiences on my motorcycle. It’s the faces of the locals here. The friendly shop owner and Kiva borrower who I pass by and say hello to on my way to work everyday; the entrepreneurs I’ve met with and interviewed at their broken down homes; the extremely well spoken, energetic and confident credit officer who made a lasting impression on me during one of our borrower meetings.
Any one of these people could be tremendously successful in America (economically speaking). Maybe a CEO of a prominent company, or a hotshot lawyer who wears a two-thousand-dollar suit to work everyday. But they arent. And the only reason for that is because of where they were born.
I think about it this way: suppose there is a barrel with 6 billion tickets, and before you’re born, you pick one at random. The ticket identifies what you will be when you enter this world, for example, rich or poor, black or white, retarded or bright, male or female. The title of this game is “the ovarian lottery”*. It’s a game we all played when we entered this world.
I won the ovarian lottery. I am a US citizen; got a good education; enjoy great health; and came equipped with a “engineer” gene that allows me to prosper in a manner disproportionate to other people who contribute as much or more to society. I’m in the top 1% of the entire population of the world.
Kiva, to me, is simply a way for those of us who drew the best tickets in the ovarian lottery to help those who drew less fortunate ones.
*The “ovarian lottery” concept was taken from a speech by Warren Buffett, the world’s richest person who recently committed a staggering $31B to philanthropy
Entry Filed under: KF7 (Kiva Fellows 7th Class), PEARL Microfinance, Uganda. Tags: ovarian lottery, warren buffett.
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1. jnlchervin | 18 February 2009 at 13:07
I loved, loved, loved, this blogpost. You’ve hit and important and relevant nail (for Kiva fellows and others alike) on the head. Well done.
I look forward to hearing more.
2. spcalhoun | 18 February 2009 at 15:04
Quite compelling. Keep thinking deeply and with purpose. I think we’re all confronting similar epiphanies in the field, and the lenders crave the first-person perspective. Well done!
3. Erica | 18 February 2009 at 15:45
Your post sent a wave of something down my spine. Beautifully written. Thanks.
4. Kieran Ball (KF6) | 18 February 2009 at 17:55
I totally agree. It’s just a matter of chance. Annoyingly many people forget that they simply got lucky, and either take it for granted and spend their time stressing about the quality of their Ralph Lauren loafers, or take it as a sign that they’re superior to others. They aren’t.
I could list countless reasons why I’m inferior to many of the borrowers and loan officers I meet. I’m lazier, have a shorter attention span, slower at mental arithmetic. I could go on.
I’ve been thinking about writing something like this for a while but you put it very well. Keep it up!
5. Grace | 19 February 2009 at 00:29
You can never know when a person might be thinking about you not until you get a chance to here them say it or through their actions. The borrowers are happy with the existence of Kiva, the lenders and the Kiva fellows that are doing a tireless job just for them. Thank you Cory for the wonderful post.
6. nmcutler | 19 February 2009 at 00:42
Great post Cory. I’ve never thought about life like that. Very compelling.
7. Unilove | 19 February 2009 at 08:08
A new perspective that provokes some serious soul-searching.
As a lender, I love to read everything I can get: KIVA news, KIVA Friends message board, KIVA Fellows, loan journal updates etc.
Thank you for this post. Please keep them coming, time permitting…
8. Bill Brick, KF6 | 19 February 2009 at 15:07
Great post Cory! Thank you for recognizing that we won the lottery of life at birth, and for having the courage and fortitude to act upon that wisdom. That alone puts you in the top 1%! We must question what we’re entitled to vs what we’re obligated to share. This will shape our notion of ownership and priority, and our actions will naturally follow, as yours have.
9. Brett Dobbs | 20 February 2009 at 01:48
Thanks for the post Cory! I just touched down to Kisumu, a few hours away and reflected on similar principles last night — looking forward to hearing more from you soon…
10. GuideMeGreen | 20 February 2009 at 02:42
I also won the ovarian lottery having been born in the UK and thats why it is our duty to make as many loans as possible to assist those that are struggling to the meet basics of live. Often dictated by where you are born.
I am using Kiva as my savings for the future. Most loans default by a maximum of 2%. I have 14 loans with no defaults so far. I saw my mum last night and her (ISA) savings scheme with the bank has lost $200 over 5 years. She would have been better saving with Kiva!! Yipee to Kiva!
Put your savings money in the UK or USA banks – or with the poor of the developing world?
Its a big shout out to the worlds banking system when you can get a better return in certain circumstances from downtown Uganda than NYC or London!
11. J. Gosier | 21 February 2009 at 00:19
Cory, I met you about a week or two ago on your first day in Uganda. You’ve hit the nail on the head, and groups like Kiva, my own and many others are working extend opportunities to everyone. I wish you the best with your work here!
12. jeffzira | 22 February 2009 at 23:57
nice
13. Laurin | 23 February 2009 at 09:21
Great post!
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