Well, hurray for the Nobel Committee. I was thrilled to read that this year's Nobel Peace Prize went to Muhammad Yunnus and the Grameen Foundation. Recognition of the power of micro-lending is long overdue and a powerful endorsement of this incredible tool for reducing poverty. I have written previously about some of the microlending organizations in Seattle, such as Global Partnerships and Unitus. NGOs like Kiva allow average people to make small loans to entrepreneurs in resource-poor countries.

I've been trying to monitor results of the elections in the Congo. Early reports seem relatively promising. Its hard to imagine how elections could be successfully managed under those conditions.

I just read about a new book about aid to developing countries by Nicholas Kristof. Initial reports suggest it is well worth reading. I think he references the Cambodia schools Program, about which I have previously written. Bernie Krisher, the founder is an absolute dynamo when it comes to creating and implementing programs to help the poor in Cambodia. The schools program has resulted in over 300 new schools in rural areas of the country. Amazing. See www.cambodiaschools.com.