Melissa Kushner, Founder of the Nonprofit Goods for Good

What does Goods for Good do? We basically take surplus goods from corporate organizations and provide them to orphans and vulnerable children in Southern Africa and Haiti—basic stuff like school uniforms, school supplies, and health and hygiene materials.

Sounds like a challenging job. Do you find much time to read? I do most of my readings on the long flights to Africa, since I’m back and forth several times a year. So I usually bring a stack of books with me. And when I stay in Malawi, where I spend most of my time in Africa, there’s no electricity, so I often get a lot of reading done. That’s where I get the most peace and quiet.

I really like your sweater. Thanks, I just grabbed it out of my mother’s closet.

So Middlesex is pretty intense. Do you ever read anything light? I toe the line. In grad school, I read a lot of books on urban development and economics. So now I try to read more human stories that are uplifting and inspiring, mostly non-fiction stories of people working in their communities to change the way the world is. It’s nice to connect to people doing interesting things in the world through books.

Have your read anything particularly uplifting recently? I’m reading a really amazing book called The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind. It’s about a Malawian boy that didn’t have enough money to finish high school. So he went back to his village and said, “I’m not going to be defeated. I’m going to find a way to help my village.” He basically foraged for trash to use to build a windmill. Everyone in his village said he was crazy, nuts—that the witches got to him. Then one day he was able to light his parent’s hut with the power he generated from the windmill—that he built out of trash.

Photo: Kelly Stuart

Comments

[Imee Baronda]

This is the best one to read. Highly recommended! Also watch the interview with William, and it will inspire you. Go don't think twice, as I read you'll be amaze :).

From the Philippines,
Imee
ChooseYourOwnAdventureBooks.org for Kids, Adults and Teachers

[Berlyn Cobian]

Good article! Now I must read The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind... tell Melissa to give me more uplifting and inspiring non-fiction suggestions. :)

[Julia Porter]

This was a great article and I have added The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind to my goodreads!

[Tammy Tibbetts]

The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind is on my list to read next; I agree with Melissa that those uplifting stories make up the best genre of nonfiction... Great interview...Melissa is a living example of my favorite mantra: style & substance!