My Dad spent much of his life involved in developing-world water supplies. The class of problems they'd come up against seem to be the prototypical "Westerner Meets World" experiences eg: local priests convincing Brahmins that they'd lose their caste if they drank from newly installed village taps, as they were standing water - the result being that they'd knock the heads off all the taps, destroying the water pressure...
It's a little frustrating that every article I've seen on this goes with the "town renamed after corporation" headline instead of the "$5000 equipment donation gives town clean water for next 10-20 years" option.
I remember the first time I looked at a map of New Mexico and saw there was a town called Truth or Consequences. It sounded like the most awesome name for an old west town ever.
I was so disappointed when I found out that it was named after a 1950s radio game show.
I've had a chance to attend one of his guest talks and talk to him for a few minutes after it. He came across as a very modest and smart guy. He has graduated from Wharton, had previously launched a detergent product Dropps which was very successful. I am not surprised that he is doing something nice.
