My Blue Sweater Moment and Yours
24 December 2009 at 21:28 Jennifer Gong 19 comments
by Jennifer Gong, KF9 Tanzania
The Blue Sweater is a book that recounts the experiences of Jacqueline Novogratz, social venturer and founder of the Acumen Fund. The book contains a string of stories, but the most poignant is the tale behind the title of the book. When she was young, her uncle gave her a blue sweater, which she eventually outgrew and donated away. It would turn out that the journeys of Novogratz and the blue sweater would eventually cross paths a decade later in Rwanda – She, jogging along the dusty roads of Rwanda and it, covering the small frame of an African boy.
A few weeks ago, I had my own “blue sweater” moment. 
I was in the Mbagala community collecting journal updates when I spotted Salehe sitting nondescriptly behind 30 other people. He would have been no different than any of the other YOSEFO clients there, except for the fact that he was sporting a dark blue cap with a large “V” in front. Instinctively I rushed over and, as I had suspected, two swords crossed over it, creating the symbol for the University of Virginia. I went to UVa, and I could not help think of the fellow student who discarded his old cap and whether if he ever thought it was going to end up as a prized possession of a Tanzanian boy. Unlike Jacquline’s blue sweater, the cap was not mine. Nevertheless, it did not fail to create a sense of wonder that in a world so vast, such a connection could be made.
A rare few will have a story like Jacqueline’s. But for those who do not have the opportunity to travel far and wide, there is Kiva. I love this organization because it allows anyone to experience a connection, a small “blue sweater” moment. In fact, it does one better. The incident revealed to Jacqueline how “our actions – and inaction – touch people we may never know and never meet across the globe”. But through Kiva, we can see who we are impacting halfway around the world. And though we may never physically meet our borrowers, the amazing journals posted by Kiva Fellows open the doors into the lives of microfinance clients all over the world.
I hope during this season, all lenders can experience and celebrate moments of connection. Happy holidays!
Entry filed under: Africa, KF9 (Kiva Fellows 9th Class), Tanzania, Youth Self Employment Foundation (YOSEFO). Tags: blogsherpa, blue sweater, dar es salaam, Jennifer Gong, KF9, microfinance, Tanzania, YOSEFO.
1. Joan Kuree | 2 December 2010 at 14:06
Great post. Waiting for you to continue the topic.
Joan Kuree
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2. Medavinci | 23 April 2010 at 13:15
I love these stories, and I would love to know the names of some organizations to donate clothes to African children. Every organization I have called from Save the Children to the Red Cross will NOT accept clothing donations – only money. It is very sad they will not do this, because there are children right here in the US who need clothing as well. Most of my daughter’s clothing wasn’t even worn, because of her growth spurts, and the few things I did give away wound up on ebay – there is a booming business of people going to tag or garage sales and then reselling it online. That is NOT what I want at all. I want to give the clothing to people who genuinely are in need.
Hope you can post some reputable agencies to send clothing to! Thanks!
3. LoveLess | 16 February 2010 at 08:59
Rather cool blog you’ve got here. Thanx for it. I like such themes and anything connected to this matter. I definitely want to read more on that blog soon.
Sincerely yours
4. Gong Goes Global » Blog Archive » The Blue Sweater Moment | 22 January 2010 at 01:36
[...] me to come to Africa. But I never imagined I would have my own “Blue Sweater” moment. Go here to read more about [...]
5. Boomie | 31 December 2009 at 01:30
I find the stories here intriguing.
6. Shuling Yong | 28 December 2009 at 23:57
Great story on your own Blue Sweater moment. I’m halfway through the book and am loving every page. As someone currently halfway around the world from where I grew up, I’m always amazed by the little things i see that tells me how truly connected we all are.
Thanks for sharing!
7. Eric | 28 December 2009 at 06:08
where is the book available?
8. Chin Ma | 27 December 2009 at 20:56
I admire and am so proud of you. Keep doing what you are doing and living out these blue sweater moments.
9. groundingsophie | 27 December 2009 at 14:33
What an amazing moment! I also went to UVA, so I share in your excitement.
10. Kieran Ball | 26 December 2009 at 11:29
Love it! I actually have a story which is not quite as good as the blue sweater but it does involve a car accident, a British celebrity, and a friendship formed ten years after the event. I won’t bore you with the details! Keep up the great work.
11. Jennifer Gong | 26 December 2009 at 21:46
Hi Kieran, thanks for reading.
I would actually love to hear about your story… who is the celeb? I hope you were not injured much. I just posted my email above… so dont hesitate to share!
12. Kevin Martin | 26 December 2009 at 00:47
Hi Jennifer, thank you for the great post and for being willing to share your experience! I am an Acumen Fund Fellow also in Tanzania (Dar es Salaam), and would enjoy getting together and sharing experiences sometime. Let me know if you are around the Dar area – Happy Holidays to you!
13. Jennifer Gong | 26 December 2009 at 21:42
Hey Kevin!
I currently work in Kariakoo and live in Sinza with a Tanzanian family. I really like it in Dar (though its getting soooo hot). I would love to meet up sometime and talk about our experiences! You can reach me at gong.jennifer@gmail.com. Hope to see you soon!
14. Misbah Naqvi, Acumen Fund | 25 December 2009 at 10:53
This is a great Blue Sweater moment, Jennifer! Thanks for sharing it! Did you know that Jacqueline also went to UVa?
Would you like to post your story on the Blue Sweater page on Facebook where others have shared similar stories?
http://twurl.nl/e4ism6
Thanks for what your are doing and good luck with your Kiva Fellowship!
15. Jennifer Gong | 26 December 2009 at 21:40
I didnt know about this page, but I just read some of the stories and they are great. I would love to share about my moment, thanks for asking!
16. Jan & John, KivaFriends | 25 December 2009 at 09:33
It’s those very connections that have drawn most of us to Kiva. I save all the wonderful photos on my screensaver and enjoy meeting the people again and again. I feel specially connected to Elisapeta in Samoa (in the Las Vegas t-shirt that reminds me of all the wonderful vacations with my mum). With Kimberley in the Philippines wearing the pink Canada shirt. T-shirts that say ‘live your way’ or ‘party till he’s cute’. But it’s not just clothing either. There’s always something in each photo or story that resounds in our hearts reminding us that though we are all different, we are all still the same.
I thank the Kiva Fellows for continuing that connection for us. Merry Christmas and know that we value everything you do. jan
17. Jennifer Gong | 26 December 2009 at 21:38
I see so many people with Canada t-shirts here! (I am also canadian). Here is another story… I work in Kariakoo, a really busy market area, with a ton of stuff made in China (I was born there). I was walking though the streets when suddenly a small toy started playing a really famous Chinese lullaby, one which all Chinese mothers would sing to their kids. That was another moment for me.
18. evacwu | 25 December 2009 at 04:52
Very poignant. Thanks for sharing Jen! I’m going to have to look into this book now
19. Jennifer Gong | 26 December 2009 at 21:37
Thanks for reading eva, are u back from the field now?
The book had such a profound impact on me. Jacqueline was a UVa grad, and went to work on Wall St. afterwards. She faced the dilemma of staying at a lucrative job and chasing a desire to go on to the field. At the time of reading the book, I faced the exact same dilemma and in a large way, her story gave me the final push to move to Tanzania. It is a must read!