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Give Work: Reversing Poverty One Job at a Time
Want to end poverty for good? Entrepreneur and Samasource founder Leila Janah has the solution—give work, not aid.
“An audacious, inspiring, and practical book. Leila shows how it’s possible to build a successful business that lifts people out of poverty—not by giving them money but by giving them work. It’s required reading for anyone who’s passionate about solving real problems.” —Adam Grant, author of Give and Take and Originals
Despite trillions of dollars in Western aid, 2.8 billion people worldwide still struggle in abject poverty. Yet the world’s richest countries continue to send money—mostly to governments—targeting the symptoms, rather than the root causes of poverty. We need a better solution.
In Give Work , Leila Janah offers a much-needed solution to solving poverty: incentivize everyone from entrepreneurs to big companies to give dignified, steady, fair-wage work to low-income people. Her social business, Samasource, connects people living below the poverty line—on roughly $2 a day—to digital work for major tech companies. To date, the organization has provided over $10 million in direct income to tens of thousands of people the world had written off, dramatically altering the trajectory of entire communities for the better.
Janah and her team go into the world’s poorest regions—from refugee camps in Kenya to the Mississippi Delta in Arkansas—and train people to do digital work for companies like Google, Walmart, and Microsoft. Janah has tested various Give Work business models in all corners of the world. She shares poignant stories of people who have benefited from Samasource’s work, where and why it hasn’t worked, and offers a blueprint to fight poverty with an evidence-based, economically sustainable model.
We can end extreme poverty in our lifetimes. Give work, and you give the poorest people on the planet a chance at happiness. Give work, and you give people the freedom to choose how to develop their own communities. Give work, and you create infinite possibilities.
“An audacious, inspiring, and practical book. Leila shows how it’s possible to build a successful business that lifts people out of poverty—not by giving them money but by giving them work. It’s required reading for anyone who’s passionate about solving real problems.” —Adam Grant, author of Give and Take and Originals
Despite trillions of dollars in Western aid, 2.8 billion people worldwide still struggle in abject poverty. Yet the world’s richest countries continue to send money—mostly to governments—targeting the symptoms, rather than the root causes of poverty. We need a better solution.
In Give Work , Leila Janah offers a much-needed solution to solving poverty: incentivize everyone from entrepreneurs to big companies to give dignified, steady, fair-wage work to low-income people. Her social business, Samasource, connects people living below the poverty line—on roughly $2 a day—to digital work for major tech companies. To date, the organization has provided over $10 million in direct income to tens of thousands of people the world had written off, dramatically altering the trajectory of entire communities for the better.
Janah and her team go into the world’s poorest regions—from refugee camps in Kenya to the Mississippi Delta in Arkansas—and train people to do digital work for companies like Google, Walmart, and Microsoft. Janah has tested various Give Work business models in all corners of the world. She shares poignant stories of people who have benefited from Samasource’s work, where and why it hasn’t worked, and offers a blueprint to fight poverty with an evidence-based, economically sustainable model.
We can end extreme poverty in our lifetimes. Give work, and you give the poorest people on the planet a chance at happiness. Give work, and you give people the freedom to choose how to develop their own communities. Give work, and you create infinite possibilities.
272 pages, Hardcover
Published September 26, 2017
77 people are currently reading
1023 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews
January 18, 2018
What a dyamo! Leila Janah is intrepid.
This book is not lengthy and I read it within a couple of days. That's unusual for a non-fiction read for me. But that's because it was so straightforward. Not only in linear time for telling her progressions to the place she is now, but also in the directness of language to what she believes and how she choose to expand those beliefs into the actions that resulted in these NGO organizational components. Components that work to give people work. The most destitute in failing and miserable countries on other continents, as well as the most destitute in rural and urban voids at home in the USA.
She has a whole piece world view with which I basically and on several large core aspects disagree, so I was enthralled by her being able to come from that platform to a place in which she is actively promoting the exact opposite (than most of her "charity is help" politico compadres) for both role model and structures for "help" up. Help up not only for economic success but for self-worth and identity success. And one that is not only cored in a specific victim, needy, or any kind of "outsider" rejected in any wider sense labeling "us" for answering an "identity" which encapsulates vindictive anger and self-poisoning agitation so commonly.
Her background when very young to do that choice in Africa, and also her family all around descriptions and history- the way she told that! It was a 5 star. Clear, honest, detailed and also her specific observations and ways she herself sees that world and the bigger world both- they were done as very few can relate so much after the facts. But it gives you a glimpse into the clarity she owns. And the energy too.
Her ideas and her outcomes have been phenomenal. I don't agree at all with her stereotypes and summations upon some central aspects of Catholicism or Catholic actions elsewhere. Nor do I think at all that some of her methods are coming from her principles but more from what produces and provides. She seems to differ. But that is why the 4 star. At points here I think if she were from another politico base she would be called one or three of the usual names for her "others" labeling tendencies. But, for me she is just accurate and pragmatic.
The criticisms (here and elsewhere) seem to be that a majority of her work agendas will be temporary or just a step and soon eliminated for those who are earning living wages now. That's not a valid criticism, IMHO, and I agree completely with Leila Janah about how she in a roundabout way answers this. Beginnings are first steps and progress does not come from moving people to other continents, countries or language bases and climates, but from teaching a very possible progress and change of work in the "now" place. Despite governmental difficulties and even in some very dire physical conditions, it is cheaper and has much longer lasting far term outcomes to later and better work. Beyond being better for the mental, emotional states of those "rising". Without vast location or cultural varying, it accelerates both the capacity for work conceptualization and the individual drive (faster $$$ rewards too for much improved "now") to safer, cleaner, better health and eating habits absolutely- and added formation for structural integrity to the closest humans in distance and family bonds. That last is no small factor either.
Excellent work. I never knew much about these kinds of NGO's but I'll be looking at more now.
This book is not lengthy and I read it within a couple of days. That's unusual for a non-fiction read for me. But that's because it was so straightforward. Not only in linear time for telling her progressions to the place she is now, but also in the directness of language to what she believes and how she choose to expand those beliefs into the actions that resulted in these NGO organizational components. Components that work to give people work. The most destitute in failing and miserable countries on other continents, as well as the most destitute in rural and urban voids at home in the USA.
She has a whole piece world view with which I basically and on several large core aspects disagree, so I was enthralled by her being able to come from that platform to a place in which she is actively promoting the exact opposite (than most of her "charity is help" politico compadres) for both role model and structures for "help" up. Help up not only for economic success but for self-worth and identity success. And one that is not only cored in a specific victim, needy, or any kind of "outsider" rejected in any wider sense labeling "us" for answering an "identity" which encapsulates vindictive anger and self-poisoning agitation so commonly.
Her background when very young to do that choice in Africa, and also her family all around descriptions and history- the way she told that! It was a 5 star. Clear, honest, detailed and also her specific observations and ways she herself sees that world and the bigger world both- they were done as very few can relate so much after the facts. But it gives you a glimpse into the clarity she owns. And the energy too.
Her ideas and her outcomes have been phenomenal. I don't agree at all with her stereotypes and summations upon some central aspects of Catholicism or Catholic actions elsewhere. Nor do I think at all that some of her methods are coming from her principles but more from what produces and provides. She seems to differ. But that is why the 4 star. At points here I think if she were from another politico base she would be called one or three of the usual names for her "others" labeling tendencies. But, for me she is just accurate and pragmatic.
The criticisms (here and elsewhere) seem to be that a majority of her work agendas will be temporary or just a step and soon eliminated for those who are earning living wages now. That's not a valid criticism, IMHO, and I agree completely with Leila Janah about how she in a roundabout way answers this. Beginnings are first steps and progress does not come from moving people to other continents, countries or language bases and climates, but from teaching a very possible progress and change of work in the "now" place. Despite governmental difficulties and even in some very dire physical conditions, it is cheaper and has much longer lasting far term outcomes to later and better work. Beyond being better for the mental, emotional states of those "rising". Without vast location or cultural varying, it accelerates both the capacity for work conceptualization and the individual drive (faster $$$ rewards too for much improved "now") to safer, cleaner, better health and eating habits absolutely- and added formation for structural integrity to the closest humans in distance and family bonds. That last is no small factor either.
Excellent work. I never knew much about these kinds of NGO's but I'll be looking at more now.
November 4, 2017
Must companies maximise shareholder value all the time, paying workers and suppliers the absolute minimum, while charging consumers as much as they can? Conventional economics would say yes. Leila Janah says no, we can 'impact source' our suppliers and our workers. She founded a non-profit Samasource which is dedicated to pay living wages to poor people in developing countries, and then moved on to found LXMI, a luxury beauty product firm using traditional shea oil paying African living wages.
She documented her journey, from giving up a lucrative career, to going to set up outsourcing centres in poor nations. She had to overcome a lot of problems: for example, you just cannot give a laptop to someone in the slumps, because he can be killed for it. So she set up outsourcing centres to let poor people work on the computer terminals safely.
She describes that giving work is much better than giving money to the poor. It gives them dignity and a way to finally climb out of poverty.
For a time I was wondering whether it is alright to help the outsourcing movement that takes work away from the rich world to poor countries. Then I realise that like it or not, those work will be outsourced anyway and we may as well impact source it to the really poor. She however worries about the disruption of work by robots and AI.
This is an extremely inspiring book, and I am totally sold by the concept to give work, not money.
She documented her journey, from giving up a lucrative career, to going to set up outsourcing centres in poor nations. She had to overcome a lot of problems: for example, you just cannot give a laptop to someone in the slumps, because he can be killed for it. So she set up outsourcing centres to let poor people work on the computer terminals safely.
She describes that giving work is much better than giving money to the poor. It gives them dignity and a way to finally climb out of poverty.
For a time I was wondering whether it is alright to help the outsourcing movement that takes work away from the rich world to poor countries. Then I realise that like it or not, those work will be outsourced anyway and we may as well impact source it to the really poor. She however worries about the disruption of work by robots and AI.
This is an extremely inspiring book, and I am totally sold by the concept to give work, not money.
December 13, 2017
Phenomenal book about eradicating poverty through work. The book looks at nonprofits, NGOs, government programs, and corporations and the roles they play in creating and eliminating poverty. It also references numerous other books on charity/philanthropy such as The Life You Can Save and Dead Aid and talks about the problems charitable programs have faced and how they can do better. There is also a good discussion on effective altruism. This book is inspiring and will change the way you give and live.
December 30, 2018
My review on YouTube
https://youtu.be/q2W_4zL76T0
https://youtu.be/q2W_4zL76T0
July 3, 2020
This was a bit of a wake up call. I will reflect on my own first.
- I found Leila Janah on a podcast, found out she died very recently and felt like shit
- Bought the book, procrastinated reading it
- Felt guilty in parts of the book. I am not doing a lot
I related to many aspects of her character, the immigrant mentality, the ambition. Several themes that I agree with. I have not done much social good, but Leila says we should not give saint-like status to the people who do. I also discovered I can highlight notes on my Kobo.
Here are some notes:
- "This book is not a book for wishful thinkers"
- Charity is not effective. Giving work and economic agency is. Charity makes government accountable to foreign aid, not it's people. "The only way to solve poverty is creating economic agency, which also shifts the balance of power."
-"why was I so lucky when so many of the children in the world were not?"
- went to her mother's workers protest when young and it left a bad taste in her mouth. Felt they would be more effective in a courtroom. Wants "real results, measurable improvement"
- combines scientific method from school with social justice values from parents. I really like this results-driven perspective.
- opinions on white saviour mentality/ critique ("there are better targets for our vitriol than would be do-gooders," in response to Courtney martin essay), also said something about effective altruism but i forgot
- her experience in Africa when young left her ecstatic but also a little depressed "colours less vivid". This scares me and is part of why I might not consume this sort of social justice content
-"True listening requires a sense of solidarity with the speaker, a belief in the other person's inherent worth and dignity." Doesn't like the "othering" poor people
- i want to read "The Hypomanic Edge: The Link Between (A Little) Craziness and (A Lot of) Success in America"
- she thought mother theresa's approach was flat out wrong. Kindness is good but she never addressed deep social-political injustices, and because she refused to track impact metrics for her hospice centres
- It was a wake up call for her, that people in poverty dont care about government becoming more good. "only you foreigners care about these questions. we struggle to eat, to feed our children. My worry is to find a job so that I can afford to buy necessities." Over-arching social justice/ academic questions don't have a day to day impact on their lives. "when you're not terrified of today, you have more time and energy to think about the future and broader questions that will affect your life."
-"our impulse to give from the heart to help people is noble and beautiful. But to make a difference, a real difference, we can't just throw money at a cause or do what feels good for our own psyche."
- "one of the main obstacles to job creation among poor people is that while capital can move freely labor cannot."
-"there were days where I was consumed with self-doubt, what the hell was I thinking? Did I have some sort of messiah complex?"
- she took consulting job after graduating from Harvard as a stepping stone knowing she would leave it. she cites it as really good prep "There's nothing wrong with launching a successful start-up and then, once you're comfortable, starting a social enterprise. It's good to do a traditional job first. In fact, I think my management consulting job provided me with the best training a social entrepreneur could have asked for."
- she noted that branding for non-profits sell more when she uses her story/image, something she didn't like because it was ego-feeding. But she says, look to the results, do what's most effective, don't fall into some humility trap
- I found Leila Janah on a podcast, found out she died very recently and felt like shit
- Bought the book, procrastinated reading it
- Felt guilty in parts of the book. I am not doing a lot
I related to many aspects of her character, the immigrant mentality, the ambition. Several themes that I agree with. I have not done much social good, but Leila says we should not give saint-like status to the people who do. I also discovered I can highlight notes on my Kobo.
Here are some notes:
- "This book is not a book for wishful thinkers"
- Charity is not effective. Giving work and economic agency is. Charity makes government accountable to foreign aid, not it's people. "The only way to solve poverty is creating economic agency, which also shifts the balance of power."
-"why was I so lucky when so many of the children in the world were not?"
- went to her mother's workers protest when young and it left a bad taste in her mouth. Felt they would be more effective in a courtroom. Wants "real results, measurable improvement"
- combines scientific method from school with social justice values from parents. I really like this results-driven perspective.
- opinions on white saviour mentality/ critique ("there are better targets for our vitriol than would be do-gooders," in response to Courtney martin essay), also said something about effective altruism but i forgot
- her experience in Africa when young left her ecstatic but also a little depressed "colours less vivid". This scares me and is part of why I might not consume this sort of social justice content
-"True listening requires a sense of solidarity with the speaker, a belief in the other person's inherent worth and dignity." Doesn't like the "othering" poor people
- i want to read "The Hypomanic Edge: The Link Between (A Little) Craziness and (A Lot of) Success in America"
- she thought mother theresa's approach was flat out wrong. Kindness is good but she never addressed deep social-political injustices, and because she refused to track impact metrics for her hospice centres
- It was a wake up call for her, that people in poverty dont care about government becoming more good. "only you foreigners care about these questions. we struggle to eat, to feed our children. My worry is to find a job so that I can afford to buy necessities." Over-arching social justice/ academic questions don't have a day to day impact on their lives. "when you're not terrified of today, you have more time and energy to think about the future and broader questions that will affect your life."
-"our impulse to give from the heart to help people is noble and beautiful. But to make a difference, a real difference, we can't just throw money at a cause or do what feels good for our own psyche."
- "one of the main obstacles to job creation among poor people is that while capital can move freely labor cannot."
-"there were days where I was consumed with self-doubt, what the hell was I thinking? Did I have some sort of messiah complex?"
- she took consulting job after graduating from Harvard as a stepping stone knowing she would leave it. she cites it as really good prep "There's nothing wrong with launching a successful start-up and then, once you're comfortable, starting a social enterprise. It's good to do a traditional job first. In fact, I think my management consulting job provided me with the best training a social entrepreneur could have asked for."
- she noted that branding for non-profits sell more when she uses her story/image, something she didn't like because it was ego-feeding. But she says, look to the results, do what's most effective, don't fall into some humility trap
July 18, 2021
An incredible must-read book for those looking at solutions to alleviate poverty, Leila's story from cleaning wealthy kids dorm rooms at Harvard to leading Samasource and LXMI are inspiring. She shares candidly her experience and offers wonderful wisdom through powerful storytelling, this book was one of my favorite reads in 2018 on making the world a better place. Also I want to comment on how rare books by Indian / South Asian women are - I commend Leila for generously sharing stories of her social impact work and secondly for being one of the few to set an example of a fantastic role model.
UPDATED: I often think about the spaces between capitalism and humanity. One founded on individualism, ego and progress. The other on love, sacrifice and faith. Then there's this strange world of money, a currency we've created to hold "value" and has so much power. Yet this money seems to allude the creatives, teachers, nurses, activists, social justice workers and social entrepreneurs.
We need to think deeply about the underlying factors that contribute to this - Leila dedicatee her life to alleviating poverty but also to thinking deeply about this topic.
It broke my heart when she passed away last year at 38. But her work lives on, her companies continue to alleviate poverty and her book Give Work is one I cherish
If this review has made you want to read this book then you can automatically donate to my charity Australian South Asian Centre by buying the book via this link.
https://bit.ly/3xNp563 (India and Australia - Audio and Hardcover)
UPDATED: I often think about the spaces between capitalism and humanity. One founded on individualism, ego and progress. The other on love, sacrifice and faith. Then there's this strange world of money, a currency we've created to hold "value" and has so much power. Yet this money seems to allude the creatives, teachers, nurses, activists, social justice workers and social entrepreneurs.
We need to think deeply about the underlying factors that contribute to this - Leila dedicatee her life to alleviating poverty but also to thinking deeply about this topic.
It broke my heart when she passed away last year at 38. But her work lives on, her companies continue to alleviate poverty and her book Give Work is one I cherish
If this review has made you want to read this book then you can automatically donate to my charity Australian South Asian Centre by buying the book via this link.
https://bit.ly/3xNp563 (India and Australia - Audio and Hardcover)
October 13, 2017
Leila Janah is one of my idols. Her role in impact sourcing especially at such a young age is absolutely astounding. As someone who has studied development and global inequality up to the Masters level, I can say this book has something for everyone to learn. This book is both very accessible for those new to the topics and also gives suggested readings to further delve into three important topics and ideas she so expertly puts together to give us a magnificent and refreshing book on global inequality, development, and a fairer world. Her ideas on the roles corporations could/should be playing and her ideas on what should be the new topics of discussing when drafting aid and philanthropy are something that needs to be spread everywhere. A book I will be lending and gifting to friends.
February 1, 2019
Right after reading the book, I had to write to the author. This (with a little bit of censorship) is what I wrote to her:
Dear Leila,
I just finished your book. I wept through most of chapter 5 and chapter 6. I sobbed when you mentioned Priya’s death. I am left genuinely moved and thoroughly inspired. I had to write to you.
I am going to try hard not sound like too much of a fanboy.
Thank you for everything that you do, have done and are doing. The sheer number of things that resonated with me throughout this book is hypnotizing. I too have dedicated my life to fighting multi-dimensional poverty through economic empowerment using the power of social enterprise. I too believe that stakeholder capitalism is the future that is quickly becoming the present. I too did the Corporate shindig to rack them skills, before quitting and embarking on a much more meaningful journey. I too believe in The Lean Startup, and Incognito by Eagleman rattled my idea of self-control. I too believe in the importance of social entrepreneurs NOT being sacrificial, self-effacing lambs. And that’s only some of the stuff that resonated, I learnt a whole ton.
I learnt that I am not the only crazy person who believes social enterprise can actually work, and scale. I learnt that my story could move people, and everything I stand for can be a driving force, just like you have had the courage to put yourself out there without any fear. I learnt that irrational good is not always irrational. I learnt that I have a whole ton of books I need to read – thank you so much for the reading list, it is so so on point. I learnt which legal structure I will employ when I start my SocEnt – thanks to you and Priya for that. And most importantly, I believe in what I am doing even more.
What moved me was the dedication and the sacrifices you have made to go down this specific road, the almost exact same road I want to go down. What moved me was that you fought when it mattered, and you won often, and are winning by doing good, just like I want to. What moved me is that even though you weren’t lucky enough to have many humans as inspirations, I am lucky that I am. What moved me is that you are so genuinely invested in the bigger picture – not in you, but in others while being rational about having a life. What moved me is the sublime, age-old human synchronicity of resonation.
Thank you for fueling this fire.
And forgive the cheesiness – I have honestly just finished your book and am all kinds of emotional. And yes, maybe I didn’t try too hard to sound like too much of a fanboy – don’t care, no regrets.
Don't know if she'll ever read it. But that doesn't really matter.
Dear Leila,
I just finished your book. I wept through most of chapter 5 and chapter 6. I sobbed when you mentioned Priya’s death. I am left genuinely moved and thoroughly inspired. I had to write to you.
I am going to try hard not sound like too much of a fanboy.
Thank you for everything that you do, have done and are doing. The sheer number of things that resonated with me throughout this book is hypnotizing. I too have dedicated my life to fighting multi-dimensional poverty through economic empowerment using the power of social enterprise. I too believe that stakeholder capitalism is the future that is quickly becoming the present. I too did the Corporate shindig to rack them skills, before quitting and embarking on a much more meaningful journey. I too believe in The Lean Startup, and Incognito by Eagleman rattled my idea of self-control. I too believe in the importance of social entrepreneurs NOT being sacrificial, self-effacing lambs. And that’s only some of the stuff that resonated, I learnt a whole ton.
I learnt that I am not the only crazy person who believes social enterprise can actually work, and scale. I learnt that my story could move people, and everything I stand for can be a driving force, just like you have had the courage to put yourself out there without any fear. I learnt that irrational good is not always irrational. I learnt that I have a whole ton of books I need to read – thank you so much for the reading list, it is so so on point. I learnt which legal structure I will employ when I start my SocEnt – thanks to you and Priya for that. And most importantly, I believe in what I am doing even more.
What moved me was the dedication and the sacrifices you have made to go down this specific road, the almost exact same road I want to go down. What moved me was that you fought when it mattered, and you won often, and are winning by doing good, just like I want to. What moved me is that even though you weren’t lucky enough to have many humans as inspirations, I am lucky that I am. What moved me is that you are so genuinely invested in the bigger picture – not in you, but in others while being rational about having a life. What moved me is the sublime, age-old human synchronicity of resonation.
Thank you for fueling this fire.
And forgive the cheesiness – I have honestly just finished your book and am all kinds of emotional. And yes, maybe I didn’t try too hard to sound like too much of a fanboy – don’t care, no regrets.
Don't know if she'll ever read it. But that doesn't really matter.
December 26, 2017
Got this autographed book after listening to Leila Janah speak at an event. Amazing speaker - gives you the goosebumps. Impact Sourcing is a great idea, and worth pursuing. More power to folks like her.
In this book, she presents the idea of impact sourcing and the evolution of how she got to thinking about this based on her experiences. At the same time it's also part memoir. It gets repetitive after a while because once you get it, there isn't much more to say besides adding one more anecdote, and then one more.
In this book, she presents the idea of impact sourcing and the evolution of how she got to thinking about this based on her experiences. At the same time it's also part memoir. It gets repetitive after a while because once you get it, there isn't much more to say besides adding one more anecdote, and then one more.
October 2, 2018
I loved this book. Leila Janah fills it with compelling real life examples of people and strategies that are working where past primarily aid-based development projects have failed. She shares big picture challenges, strategic dilemmas, and examples of tactical approaches that work in helping people rise out of poverty while helping businesses and communities thrive. Highly recommended.
December 18, 2020
Intro: We all realize at least for the human years between 20 and 90 "age is only a number," yet I'll mention entrepreneur and paradigm-changer Leila Janah died of epithelioid sarcoma at the much too young age of 37 in January 2020. RIP and thanks for writing about the inspirational possibilities of a digitally and humanly connected world.
Review: Life as a Gift in a Flat World
We can give work…
• Because life first must be gift before it becomes task.
• Because the world is even flatter than Thomas Friedman told us.
For close to a millennium, goods, materials, and money have moved with little regard for national borders, but historically, humans have not been able to go very far. The fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989 broke enough boundaries to create a single global market; six years later, netscape went public and brought internet access to regular people, eventually leading to individuals being able to virtually be and virtually work in places other than their actual physical locations.
Leila Janah's autobiographical account of her lifelong adventures in Give Work is copyright 2017, meaning it was written, edited, and ready for press some time before that year, and almost four years later, interconnections have expanded even more than when the author finished the book. 2021 is less than two weeks away, and we're almost ready for a sequel!
Janah cites topographical barriers of forests and deserts that prevented earlier, pre-internet era connectivity between many African countries, as well as death-dealing mostly European colonialism that extracted natural resources, used them elsewhere, and left the population bereft. Maybe paradoxically, countries with land not so richly endowed sometimes were able to develop human potential much more readily. In terms of reversing poverty, although at times limited direct infusions of cash, services, or supplies from government or non-profits can be helpful and sometimes will be necessary, the giving work concept means people do easy to learn computerized work that companies worldwide need, and it happens in a fair and verifiable work-for-pay exchange. Those wages then stay in the community and lead to more income for others as the money circulates.
It's never easy to find an appropriate name for a product or entity that will span cultures and geographies. In Sanskrit sama is equal or fair. In Arabic sama means sky; it's the root of the Hindi word for same. Leila Janah hoped her company would give everyone an equal opportunity by sourcing in ways that enhanced the value of "sama," thus becoming Samasource. Janah imagined, developed, and planted Samasource on an astonishingly tiny budget—even for a startup. Samasource has grown into an excellent option for companies of any size anywhere to access digital workers who produce quality and get paid fairly.
Although Samasource first sought to employ persons stuck in poverty because of almost zero work options in countries like India and Kenya, Leila chronicles later experiences and challenges she had training people in rural California and rural Arkansas. Maybe surprisingly, big cities in developing countries had literally countless, increasingly affordable internet cafés; underpopulated, depressed American towns lacked all kinds of viable infrastructure. (A few years later, I need to research if or how that has changed by now.)
Amidst the overall isolation and urgent "what's next" of the current global pandemic, what was Give Work's best counsel for everyone? Keep following your dreams and if your initial product rollout doesn't have glitches and inconsistencies, you have waited too long to launch!
Notice of material connection: I received a copy of this book from publicist, publisher, or distributor, with no requirement or expectation I'd write a positive review. As always, opinions are my own.
Review: Life as a Gift in a Flat World
We can give work…
• Because life first must be gift before it becomes task.
• Because the world is even flatter than Thomas Friedman told us.
For close to a millennium, goods, materials, and money have moved with little regard for national borders, but historically, humans have not been able to go very far. The fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989 broke enough boundaries to create a single global market; six years later, netscape went public and brought internet access to regular people, eventually leading to individuals being able to virtually be and virtually work in places other than their actual physical locations.
Leila Janah's autobiographical account of her lifelong adventures in Give Work is copyright 2017, meaning it was written, edited, and ready for press some time before that year, and almost four years later, interconnections have expanded even more than when the author finished the book. 2021 is less than two weeks away, and we're almost ready for a sequel!
Janah cites topographical barriers of forests and deserts that prevented earlier, pre-internet era connectivity between many African countries, as well as death-dealing mostly European colonialism that extracted natural resources, used them elsewhere, and left the population bereft. Maybe paradoxically, countries with land not so richly endowed sometimes were able to develop human potential much more readily. In terms of reversing poverty, although at times limited direct infusions of cash, services, or supplies from government or non-profits can be helpful and sometimes will be necessary, the giving work concept means people do easy to learn computerized work that companies worldwide need, and it happens in a fair and verifiable work-for-pay exchange. Those wages then stay in the community and lead to more income for others as the money circulates.
It's never easy to find an appropriate name for a product or entity that will span cultures and geographies. In Sanskrit sama is equal or fair. In Arabic sama means sky; it's the root of the Hindi word for same. Leila Janah hoped her company would give everyone an equal opportunity by sourcing in ways that enhanced the value of "sama," thus becoming Samasource. Janah imagined, developed, and planted Samasource on an astonishingly tiny budget—even for a startup. Samasource has grown into an excellent option for companies of any size anywhere to access digital workers who produce quality and get paid fairly.
Although Samasource first sought to employ persons stuck in poverty because of almost zero work options in countries like India and Kenya, Leila chronicles later experiences and challenges she had training people in rural California and rural Arkansas. Maybe surprisingly, big cities in developing countries had literally countless, increasingly affordable internet cafés; underpopulated, depressed American towns lacked all kinds of viable infrastructure. (A few years later, I need to research if or how that has changed by now.)
Amidst the overall isolation and urgent "what's next" of the current global pandemic, what was Give Work's best counsel for everyone? Keep following your dreams and if your initial product rollout doesn't have glitches and inconsistencies, you have waited too long to launch!
Notice of material connection: I received a copy of this book from publicist, publisher, or distributor, with no requirement or expectation I'd write a positive review. As always, opinions are my own.
February 12, 2019
Leila Janah is an inspiring entrepreneur who has brought to me a new perspective on creating your own business. She focuses on integrating two important things in your business—the hybrid model: (1) Having an efficient and profitable business model, while (2) Staying socially conscious/sticking to the company’s values. Leila is the founder and CEO of Samasource, an impact outsourcing tech company that aims to eradicate poverty. She trains and employs people in poverty stricken areas around the world with online outsourcing jobs via contracts with all sorts of companies—from Getty Images to Walmart to local businesses. Leila discusses that it is important for businesses to be profit driven, because that is a leading incentive that drives people towards efficiency. But then she stresses reinvesting that profit back into the company, enabling the nonprofit to grow closer to its goals as success is accumulated, as she has done with Samasource. Since starting Her nonprofit, Samasource, Leila has also started a for-profit, LXMI, which also employs locals at working wages that are 3x what they make working with/selling those same Shea butter products (Nilotica butter) on their own. All in all, Leila’s book “Give Work” will surely stick with me, as I plan to eventually carry out my own entrepreneurial venture. I will keep in mind the socially conscious motive of the business, the main values, and taking care of the entire supply chain involved in production as much as possible. My favorite quote: “Social impact and profitability are not mutually exclusive” (pp.11).
December 28, 2020
What a phenomenal woman! In her short lived 37 years Leila Janah has had a exponential impact on the world.
Inspired by what Muhammed Yunus did for micro-finance, Leila transformed the global outsourcing model into the impact sourcing model, breaking down large projects into micro work that could be carried out by the world’s lowest income populations.
Samasource’s impact sourcing model trains workers in poverty stricken areas globally and nationally(within the US) with computer skills to undertake digital micro work.
Samasource includes a section of society often overlooked into the digital economy with tasks such as data entry, image tagging and content services, leading to a fair wage and regular safe work.
Leila demonstrates that change doesn’t have to happen at a large scale, as an individual we can be the change. We can support brands that have social impact built into their business models, brands such as Warby Parker, Toms of Maine, LXMI and World of Good inc. Giving work and not aid is the longer term solution to reversing poverty, empowering people to take control of their own circumstances, creating a story that will motivate and inspire others.
A great book that will transform your perspective on poverty, charity and aid, encouraging you to take action today to support the cause and give work.
Forever inspired by her work and the legacy she leaves behind. RIP Leila ❤️
Inspired by what Muhammed Yunus did for micro-finance, Leila transformed the global outsourcing model into the impact sourcing model, breaking down large projects into micro work that could be carried out by the world’s lowest income populations.
Samasource’s impact sourcing model trains workers in poverty stricken areas globally and nationally(within the US) with computer skills to undertake digital micro work.
Samasource includes a section of society often overlooked into the digital economy with tasks such as data entry, image tagging and content services, leading to a fair wage and regular safe work.
Leila demonstrates that change doesn’t have to happen at a large scale, as an individual we can be the change. We can support brands that have social impact built into their business models, brands such as Warby Parker, Toms of Maine, LXMI and World of Good inc. Giving work and not aid is the longer term solution to reversing poverty, empowering people to take control of their own circumstances, creating a story that will motivate and inspire others.
A great book that will transform your perspective on poverty, charity and aid, encouraging you to take action today to support the cause and give work.
Forever inspired by her work and the legacy she leaves behind. RIP Leila ❤️
October 12, 2020
A must read for those wondering if it’s possible to make this world better. She has paved the way to a new way of looking at poverty. She has created a unique model pieced together from well-know theories to create a structure that taps into the middle and low tear of work. The work that makes a huge difference for people living under extreme poverty; linking them to Westbourne companies that want to spend money of a quality product.
She challenges our ideas of people who live in extreme poverty are somehow less clever, less able. Proving that their skill set is often better then those living in USA in poverty.
She tells funny stories about her business and personal failings and her big wins. She encourages you to try (in different ways) to lift people to a better life and gives you several tools to get you on the way.
I have already bought several copies to send to friends. It’s a lovely book that encourages good. We really need this in the world today.
She challenges our ideas of people who live in extreme poverty are somehow less clever, less able. Proving that their skill set is often better then those living in USA in poverty.
She tells funny stories about her business and personal failings and her big wins. She encourages you to try (in different ways) to lift people to a better life and gives you several tools to get you on the way.
I have already bought several copies to send to friends. It’s a lovely book that encourages good. We really need this in the world today.
April 2, 2018
A mix of business and memoir. I enjoyed the opening of the book, and understanding Leila’s personal experiences and perspectives with social entrepreneurship. I’d heard of Samasource before, and was delighted to get a more complete understanding of the organization. Her experience and time in the field of social entrepreneurship gives her a lot of authority with which to speak on the topic. I’d recommend this book to anyone interested in social entrepreneurship, and pretty much anyone getting into business period.
Hesistations about recommending the book are that it is a bit unfocused at times. While I find the memoir aspect a very important and humanizing aspect of the book, it leads to switching from anecdote to anecdote quickly, and left me as a reader a little lost at times. The book is still worth the read because of Leila’s knowledge and stories.
Hesistations about recommending the book are that it is a bit unfocused at times. While I find the memoir aspect a very important and humanizing aspect of the book, it leads to switching from anecdote to anecdote quickly, and left me as a reader a little lost at times. The book is still worth the read because of Leila’s knowledge and stories.
March 15, 2019
A thoughtful insight to aid, social programs, short term missions, and loving/serving those stricken with poverty more effectively (mixed with a lot of compelling but practical entrepreneurial advice through the lense of her career path).
I myself grew up visiting some of the poorest communities in the world, and Janah’s experiences truly encapsulate the heaviness & complexity that shape your worldview but also the (well intentioned but often debilitating) impact you leave behind.
I will recommend this to any of my network beginning or running social enterprises/non-profits- or to anyone interested in learning about the deeper cycle behind poverty.
She hits the nail on the head: “The key to raising people out of poverty isnt just training, creating, and securing jobs; It’s also restoring someone’s sense of dignity and self worth.”
I myself grew up visiting some of the poorest communities in the world, and Janah’s experiences truly encapsulate the heaviness & complexity that shape your worldview but also the (well intentioned but often debilitating) impact you leave behind.
I will recommend this to any of my network beginning or running social enterprises/non-profits- or to anyone interested in learning about the deeper cycle behind poverty.
She hits the nail on the head: “The key to raising people out of poverty isnt just training, creating, and securing jobs; It’s also restoring someone’s sense of dignity and self worth.”
February 19, 2020
I used to work with a company that contract with Samasource. That's how I first learned about this book and what Janah was doing
Great book. It was so great to hear some of the stories of the people she impacted in the early days. Janah was such an amazing person with an amazing goal. I started reading the book before I hearing that she passed away a few weeks ago. Getting to the end of the book was that much more bittersweet.
My only criticism of the book was that near the end i felt like there was too much focus on getting LXMI to market, with little intertwining of the people impacted, which I thought took away from everything she was building towards. But it also didn't feel right to remove a star from my rating just for that.
Great book. It was so great to hear some of the stories of the people she impacted in the early days. Janah was such an amazing person with an amazing goal. I started reading the book before I hearing that she passed away a few weeks ago. Getting to the end of the book was that much more bittersweet.
My only criticism of the book was that near the end i felt like there was too much focus on getting LXMI to market, with little intertwining of the people impacted, which I thought took away from everything she was building towards. But it also didn't feel right to remove a star from my rating just for that.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 24, 2020
There is a genre of entrepreneur-success-story I think of as the Ted Talk format - a story of how a young, passionate idealist discovers a way to marry success with doing good. Janah's story of how she built Samasource and LXMI (published before her untimely death in 2019 at the age of 38) follows the formula, but also manages to provide useful insights into the substantive difference between work that helps the disadvantaged by providing a channel for what they produce, and work that integrates the disadvantaged into the economy by matching them to work companies need done. It's a great vision, and one I hope we can sustain even as borders become walls.
October 2, 2020
This book touched me in unexpected ways. I work in the nonprofit sector, and this book opened my mind and heart to what really wanting to change things looks like. Leila is a critical, audacious thinker and doer. We need millions of Leilas in this world. Her story, values, example, creativity and determination are an inspiration for everyone. On her book she mentions how the care industry will become increasingly important. I have not stopped thinking about this since Covid started. Thank you Leila for writing such a personal, raw and authentic book for the world, and especially thank you for your work.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 20, 2017
Must read for those creating a meaningful life & career
As a social entrepreneur, I devoured this book not just for its intelligence and wisdom about the importance of giving work, but for its generosity in brainstorming ways we can all make a difference. Light bulbs were popping for me throughout. She is a simple and eloquent writer and the book is peppered with lessons on the history of social justice and world changing ideas. Highly recommend for all entrepreneurs, new grads, anyone thinking consciously about how they want to build their life and career.
As a social entrepreneur, I devoured this book not just for its intelligence and wisdom about the importance of giving work, but for its generosity in brainstorming ways we can all make a difference. Light bulbs were popping for me throughout. She is a simple and eloquent writer and the book is peppered with lessons on the history of social justice and world changing ideas. Highly recommend for all entrepreneurs, new grads, anyone thinking consciously about how they want to build their life and career.
January 17, 2020
This book inspired me to learn more about social entrepreneurship and to dig deeper about my own purpose in life. I bookmarked so many pages from this book and these below are my favorite.
“If you are in a position to give people opportunity and you don’t, you’re oppressing them.”
“Make it your business to figure out what good needs to be done in the world, and then do it.”
“So the question facing our generation isn’t “What can you do to help the less fortunate?” but “What can you do to unlock all that untapped potential?”
“If you are in a position to give people opportunity and you don’t, you’re oppressing them.”
“Make it your business to figure out what good needs to be done in the world, and then do it.”
“So the question facing our generation isn’t “What can you do to help the less fortunate?” but “What can you do to unlock all that untapped potential?”
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 19, 2020
The best book I have read in this field. Impact sourcing, impact investing and giving work are the next big topics in international development.
This tiny book arms the reader with rare tools; the kind one would not find anywhere. Leila shares her story of change in a world far away from home in a fascinating manner. Her passion to fight poverty by empowering the poor shines through the pages of this 200 pages.
I picked the book to help me restructure my own social enterprise idea. And to b fair, I have achieved that with expectations exceeded.
This tiny book arms the reader with rare tools; the kind one would not find anywhere. Leila shares her story of change in a world far away from home in a fascinating manner. Her passion to fight poverty by empowering the poor shines through the pages of this 200 pages.
I picked the book to help me restructure my own social enterprise idea. And to b fair, I have achieved that with expectations exceeded.
January 9, 2018
self note: Reading this with Jaron Lanier's "Who owns the future?" in mind... I want to feel excited about the work Samasource is doing, but it seems like work that will only exist for half a generation. Hard to see a future where we don't need to get ok with basic incomes for people. Samasource workers are training the algos which will make their work obsolete.
Curious to know if author and others are anticipating this.
Curious to know if author and others are anticipating this.
June 13, 2020
Life changer
This book changed my life’s mission. As a junior starting out my career in digital field, i’ve been thinking about how to be a part of something greater than myself and this book guided me to use my professional background to build a platform and give work to the poor. This is very much worth the read if you are interested in social impact. And I also loved her book recommendation at the end, so valuable.
This book changed my life’s mission. As a junior starting out my career in digital field, i’ve been thinking about how to be a part of something greater than myself and this book guided me to use my professional background to build a platform and give work to the poor. This is very much worth the read if you are interested in social impact. And I also loved her book recommendation at the end, so valuable.
March 2, 2018
Great read. Engaging, inspiring, and down to earth. I already admired Leila for what she has created with her two social enterprises but getting to be in her mind and read her viewpoints on different ideas and issues was exactly what I was hoping to get out of the book. Definitely a recommended read.
September 9, 2018
Leila has a passionate mind and it translates to her style of expressing in writing. It’s hard to follow at times and her focus is telling stories about how hard it was to build her business. I wish she had more stories about her employees, not just the star one who made it to USA, and had focused less on her oen struggle esp with the title of the book.
March 6, 2021
Leila Janah is a woman who I admire greatly and whose impact has outlived her short time on earth. Give Work is a remarkable story that not only argues for why we should ‘give work’ but also details the power of hope, compassion, and resilience against all odds. This is a book that I will come back to and revisit often.
June 12, 2018
Inspiring and approachable intro to social entrepreneurship
I stumbled upon Leila as a random Facebook recommendation, but after this engaging memoir of her journey into social business, I am a believer in her vision and came away inspired by her tenacity and resolve.
I stumbled upon Leila as a random Facebook recommendation, but after this engaging memoir of her journey into social business, I am a believer in her vision and came away inspired by her tenacity and resolve.
June 16, 2018
If you're interested in social work, this book is a must-read! Leila will challenge so many western beliefs on aids and eradicate poverty. Of course, you don't have to agree with everything, but you'll for sure enjoy the intellectual discussion and learn a lot from Leila's journey.
May 24, 2020
Made me think of human limits, of being grateful, of being strong, of acting.. Inspiring. Leila didn't have all the answers, who does, but she sure pushed human limits and made a huge difference in so many lives. Highly recommended.
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