Freedom From Want: The Remarkable Success Story of BRAC, the Global Grassroots Organization That's Winning the Fight Against Poverty

by Ian Smillie

BRAC, arguably the world’s largest, most diverse and most successful NGO, is little known outside Bangladesh, where it formed in 1972. Author Ian Smillie predicts, however, that this is bound to change. BRAC’s success and the spread of its work in health, education, social enterprise development and microfinance dwarfs any other private, government or non-profit enterprise in its impact on tens of thousands of communities in Asia and Africa.

Freedom From Want traces BRAC’s evolution from a small relief operation indistinguishable from hundreds of others, into what is undoubtedly the largest and most variegated social experiment in the developing world. BRAC’s story shows how social enterprise can trump corruption and how purpose, innovation and clear thinking can overcome the most entrenched injustices that society can offer. It is a story that ranges from distant villages in Bangladesh to New York’s financial district on 9/11, from war-torn Afghanistan to the vast plains of East Africa and the ruins of Southern Sudan. Partly an adventure story, partly a lesson in development economics, partly an examination of excellence in management, the book describes one of the world’s most remarkable success stories, one that has transformed disaster into development and despair into hope.

Genres: Poverty, Economics, Nonfiction, International Development, Social Issues

300 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2009

Reviews

[Maksud · Rating 4 out of 5]

I always wanted to know the reason behind paradox of Bangladesh. Despite political turmoil how a nation can see promising growth. NGOs' like BRAC, CARE have played a great role in the development of Bangladesh. Nutrition , child healthcare, tuberculosis or diarrhea are just a fragment of sectors improved radically by BRAC. I really liked the way contexts are broken down. It started with "Why" a development model was chosen , what obstacles were faced & how they managed it. How a long term view can open up business opportunities hence make the development sustainable. BRAC really focused on "SUSTAINABLE" development which is reflected in all the efforts and success stories.

[James Centenera · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story about an amazing organisation.

[Poppy]

I am really interested in getting further into this book - whenever that happens! I have recently been hearing more and more coverage of aid organizations/people in need and the topic has become especially intriguing as a result. I received this book as a gift of sorts. It traces the history of BRAC which is an aid organization in the global fight against poverty. Here's part of the description, which makes what would normally sound like a chore to read something that I'm excited to read (I'll let you know the result!):

"BRAC's story shows how social enterprise can trump corruption and how purpose, innovation and clear thinking can overcome the most entrenched injustices that society can offer. It is a story that ranges from distant villages in Bangladesh to New York's financial district on 9/11, from war-torn Afghanistan to the vast plains of East Africa and the ruins of Southern Sudan. Partly an adventure story, partly a lesson in development economics, partly an examination of excellence in management, the book describes one of the world's most remarkable success stories, one that has transformed disaster into development and despair into hope."

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a fascinating tale of an NGO's development. It is fairly well written, though the first three chapters are confusing and hard to follow; they would have been better condensed and written in the style the other chapters were. I would also have changed the chapter titles. Many of them were cute and creative, but told me nothing about the chapter topic. I am definitely interested to see how BRAC continues to develop as an organization and hope that other NGO's can use the principles BRAC has proven to aid the world's poor.

[Braden · Rating 3 out of 5]

It is amazing what an organization that really wants to help people can do. BRAC, the NGO discussed in this book, is a Bangladeshi group founded on research, innovation, and evaluation to help the poor. Its success is undeniable. Definitely learned a lot from this book about NGO administration and working with the poor.

[Jrohde · Rating 3 out of 5]

a good run down of the philosophy and work of BRAC, although the accuracy of the historical beginnings is considerably flawed. for anyone interested in BRAC and how it works and what it has done over 30 years, a good book. Well written and informative.

[Paul · Rating 4 out of 5]

Best book I've found on BRAC, though I've done minimal digging. If you are considering reading one of the Yunus/Grameen books, I'd recommend BRAC and this book instead. A truly remarkable story.

[Nadia Ahmed · Rating 4 out of 5]

A book to read to know what BRAC has done for Bangladesh!!

[Alice Korngold · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very well told about one of the world's most remarkable NGOs. Many lessons about alleviating poverty as well as building highly effective organizations. I highly recommend!