Michael Kraft
LEAPed to Zambia, 2009
Read Michael Kraft on the iLEAP blog
Bio
A lifelong resident of the Seattle area, Michael has excelled for many years as an information technology professional in both the private and non-profit sectors. Seeking to more fully express his values in his work, he recently earned an MA in Policy Studies from the University of Washington Bothell, where he focused on global development policy. Prior to his association with Better Futures and iLEAP, Michael volunteered to support the anti-poverty advocacy work of the Borgen Project, and has served as a volunteer grant editor with Village Volunteers. Closer to home, Michael has supported the community as a volunteer Phone Intervention Specialist with Crisis Clinic in Seattle, and he is a past board member of Walrus Performance Productions, a former Seattle-based performing arts non-profit. Currently, he is serving as Treasurer of the board of directors of his homeowners association.
LEAP to Zambia
To gain exposure to development practice at the grass roots level, Michael enrolled in iLEAP’s Taking The LEAP program in 2009. Working with iLEAP International Faculty Paul Samba, Michael embarked upon a collaborative volunteer project in the summer of 2009 to teach basic computer skills to the faculty and staff of Chipembi Farm College in Zambia. In exchange, Michael was exposed to the programs of the college as well as the challenges faced in the local community. Michael’s efforts in Zambia have helped connect the college with the sustainable farming community in Seattle.
Since his return to the United States, Michael has deepened his commitment to grass roots development. Upon learning that Chipembi Farm College was facing a severe food crisis due to drought and that no resources were available to help, Michael launched a successful fund-raising campaign through Better Futures, a fledgling development organization that he founded to take on small relief and development projects of this type. While maintaining a career in the technology sector, Michael is growing the capacity of Better Futures to take on more sophisticated projects that move past relief to promote sustainable development. New projects are in the exploratory phases with both Paul Samba in Zambia and iLEAP International Faculty Juliet Theresita in India.
