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Listen to the right people. Okay, so you probably don’t know what it’s like to carry fifty pounds of firewood on your head. Well, don’t pretend that you do. Talk to someone who has done it. I believe that the key to innovation in international development is truly understanding the problem, and using your imagination is not good enough."
We are surrounded with issues of poverty and homelessness across the world in various shapes and forms, local and abroad. Reminders are on the television, internet, newspapers, on street corners in the form of solicitors, and in alleys and doorways in blunt reality. There are stereotypes and rumors that define a social image of "the homeless" - who they are and how they ended up in their current situations. There aren't many people who would argue that homelessness and poverty are issues, but there are many who might debate what the causes or solutions are.
I believe the social innovation to listen to the right people suggests that talking to the people who are homeless and in poverty, and understanding their stories and experiences, will provide information so that we can look for a pattern - a core problem of violence that leads to poverty and homelessness. Only then will we be able to view the situation with that perspective in mind.
In addition, talking with all of the players involved - the organizations trying to resolve or ease homelessness and poverty such as shelters, advocacy programs, unemployment agencies, soup kitchens, and other non-profit organizations will provide perspectives on different facets of the issue.
Go into the issue with an open mind full of questions and talk to as many involved players as possible.
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