“A revolution has begun…”


Nov 11th, 2009 9:29 AM UTC
By Jake Harriman

Today we have the distinct honor of bringing to you a very special series from men and women who have served in our Armed Services. This piece comes from Jake Harriman, founder and CEO of Nuru International. Jake served over 7 years in the Marine Corps as an Infantry Platoon Commander and a Special Operations Platoon Commander for an elite unit called Force Recon:

On this Veteran’s Day 2009, the United States once again finds itself engaged in conflict. As you read these words, the brave men and women of our armed forces are battling Al-Qaeda in Iraq, the Taliban in Afghanistan, and splinter terrorist organizations in half a dozen other countries around the world.

But on this Veteran’s Day I want to speak to you from the frontlines of a different war – a war against a senseless, unnecessary evil that daily takes thousands more lives than are lost in Baghdad, Gaza, Kandahar, Mogadishu, and Jaffna combined. It is the war against extreme poverty.
I have had the unique experience of fighting in both of these battles.

I spent 7-and-a-half years as a Marine Corps Infantry and Special Operations Platoon Commander – serving four operational tours in Iraq, the Horn of Africa, and other areas of southwest Asia. During combat operations in Iraq, I had several very profound experiences that awakened me to the fact that the only way to see the end of terrorism is to end extreme poverty.

The End (Jake’s Story) from Nuru International on Vimeo.

My men and I saw the desperation in the eyes of poor farmers who were coerced by Jihadists into fighting the Americans. Why? Is it out of some misplaced/ignorant sense of hatred for the West and all it stands for? No. It is because the farmers’ children were starving and the Jihadists promised food, education and money if they fought the Americans.

Extreme poverty strips a person of real choices. A life without choices leads to desperation, and desperate people do desperate things.

When my commitment was up, I left my career in the Marines and set out to create an organization to fight extreme poverty. Nuru International partners with the rural poor in the developing world and other nonprofit and for profit organizations to end extreme poverty one community at a time. We don’t give handouts, but instead through training and empowerment we actually equip the poor to become the answers to their own problems.

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There is hope for those without choices. We can end extreme poverty in our lifetimes, and in so doing, answer the cry of the desperate, give a voice to the voiceless, and provide choices to impoverished men and women who have been struggling for so long.

A revolution has begun…a revolution to wake up and mobilize a generation to end this fight once and for all. There is no room in this fight for egos, partisan politics, or ideological differences. One sixth of humanity cries out to us today – asking you and me to simply put our differences aside and use our talent, skills and resources to empower them with choices. This Veteran’s Day, I ask you to step forward and get in the fight with us. In so doing, you will ensure that thousands of brave veterans and countless global citizens have not sacrificed their lives in this war in vain. Join the revolution. Be hope. Be light. Be Nuru.

WD10

All images copyright Nuru International 2009

TAGS: Spotlight, Veterans Day

Comments

  1. Adriennesays: Nov 11th, 2009 9:55 AM EST

    November 11, 2009 at 9:55 am

    You are an inspiration, Jake. Thanks for sharing your story and thanks for all the great work you do.
  2. Janece Herringtonsays: Nov 11th, 2009 12:20 PM EST

    November 11, 2009 at 12:20 pm

    Hello -

    Your story, your passion, and your vision has touched me so much. I’ve shared this video with all of my friends, and joined the cause. I will also be sending in all of my tithe money from my new business venture to NURU. If there is anything else I can do to help, I would be honored. I’m in Marketing – writing is my…forte :)

    Warm regards and God bless you all,
    Janece Herrington
  3. Jake Harrimansays: Nov 11th, 2009 1:51 PM EST

    November 11, 2009 at 1:51 pm

    Hi Adrienne and Janece,

    I really appreciate your comments. Thanks for taking the time to share our work and vision with others. Please spread the word about our story and what we are doing. Only by coming together and mobilizing our generation will we see the end of extreme poverty. Encourage your friends to get in the fight. Thanks so much for your willingness to serve and give a voice to our brave brothers and sisters struggling to finally free themselves from the chains of extreme poverty.

    Stay in the fight,
    jake
  4. Jennifer Brown Hagedornsays: Nov 11th, 2009 4:06 PM EST

    November 11, 2009 at 4:06 pm

    Jake: You are truly a unique and special person. Your selflessness continues to amaze me. Thank you for fighting the fight that the rest of us cannot do or chose not to do. Stay safe and be happy! Your old friend Jenn
  5. Jake Harrimansays: Nov 11th, 2009 4:14 PM EST

    November 11, 2009 at 4:14 pm

    Thanks so much, Jenn. Your words, as always, are so encouraging. I hope you are well my friend.
    jake
  6. Janell Turnersays: Nov 11th, 2009 5:42 PM EST

    November 11, 2009 at 5:42 pm

    Jake,

    I’m so proud of you, and the amazing work that you have done. It just goes to show what a country boy from WV can do when he truly believes in a cause. I wish you continued success with Nuru.

    Janell
  7. Jake Harrimansays: Nov 11th, 2009 6:00 PM EST

    November 11, 2009 at 6:00 pm

    Thanks so much, Janell. I really appreciate the comments. We can all do something in this fight. Each of us has a skill set or talent that we can use – no matter where we come from or what our job title is. It doesn’t matter how much money we have or how influential we feel we are or are not…we are all called to get into this fight. Each of us just needs to find our talent and dive in!

    jake
  8. Rick and Karen Morleysays: Nov 11th, 2009 6:35 PM EST

    November 11, 2009 at 6:35 pm

    Jake, today you’re one of our favorite veterans! We’re so excited by all Nuru is doing, and we’re trying to get the word out in NJ.

    You make all West Virginians proud!

    Rick and Karen Morley
  9. Charles Leesays: Nov 11th, 2009 6:42 PM EST

    November 11, 2009 at 6:42 pm

    Congrats on the feature Jake! I’m so glad Nuru is getting more exposure and involvement from people.

    All the best.
  10. Laura Changalasays: Nov 11th, 2009 6:49 PM EST

    November 11, 2009 at 6:49 pm

    I’d like to thank you all on behalf of Jake for reading the blog, commenting, and supporting Nuru in our fight. Like Jake said, we can each contribute to the fight to end extreme poverty and end terrorism no matter our skill set. By choosing to read about what we are doing and lend support to our cause you are all in the fight with us!

    Thank you all
    Laura
  11. Jason Morrowsays: Nov 12th, 2009 9:44 AM EST

    November 12, 2009 at 9:44 am

    Keep up the good work, Jake. Your story is incredibly moving and the world is lucky to have you as one of its citizens…
  12. Aerie Changalasays: Nov 12th, 2009 10:24 AM EST

    November 12, 2009 at 10:24 am

    Jason, on behalf of Nuru and Jake, I would to thank you for your kind words and your support. All of us can help make the world a better place.
    All the best,

    Aerie Changala
    CED Program Manager
  13. Chris Corbettsays: Nov 13th, 2009 3:54 AM EST

    November 13, 2009 at 3:54 am

    This is awesome! Sounds like we need to work together. I’m setting up my own nonprofit here in Madagascar, the Human Development League. Our goals are pretty much the same as Nuru and One: help end extreme poverty–through sports and education programs. For our first project, we’ll be setting up grassroots American football training and helping provide scholarships and support for education. Hope to eventually grow throughout Africa and the developing world. Looking for partners. I agree. Time to set aside differences and work together to harness and develop the unlimited human potential that is our greatest untapped resource.
  14. Jake Harrimansays: Nov 13th, 2009 4:53 AM EST

    November 13, 2009 at 4:53 am

    Hey Chris. Your project sounds like it has a lot of promise. Best of luck getting your Madagascar project up and running.

    Stay in the fight,
    jake
  15. Dannysays: Nov 18th, 2009 9:42 PM EST

    November 18, 2009 at 9:42 pm

    you are an inspiration to us all. keep up the unbelievable work
  16. Laura Changalasays: Nov 19th, 2009 5:50 PM EST

    November 19, 2009 at 5:50 pm

    On behalf of Jake, thank you Danny for your kind words

    Laura Changala
    PR Director @ Nuru
  17. bad credit loanssays: Dec 29th, 2009 10:24 PM EST

    December 29, 2009 at 10:24 pm

    Good Afternoon!!! http://www.one.org is one of the most excellent innovative websites of its kind. I enjoy reading it every day. I will be back.

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