Leaving Microsoft to change the world...

This is the title of the latest book I read over this weekend, and what a fascinating story this is...
John Wood did what most people only dream of- he left a lucrative position in one of the world's top companies to form a non-profit organization whose purpose it is to bring books, computers and a chance at education to children throughout South and Southeast Asia.

The epiphany came to him on a trip to Nepal as he was taking a break from a grueling but highly successful career at Microsoft. As he saw the incredible paucity of books in the country, he decided he needed to do something different. A small project turned into a large one and before he knew it, John was more passionate about it than his day job. Much to the chagrin of his employers, he quit.

And then he wrote a book about it. In it, he says that non-profit companies should work, in practical matters, very much like for-profit companies. They should be organized, passionate and focused. Wood takes some time to give readers pointers as to how to achieve this. He also makes the story very personal and you literally feel you are with him every step of the way- the sacrifices, the tough choices, the passion, the fatigue, the joy when the faces of children light up- it makes for fascinating reading.

If you dont have time to read the book, go to the website- www.roomtoread.org- to read about Wood's organization and the wonderful things it is doing for education of the underprivileged in some of the poorest countries in the world. I have often thought about doing something but have done nothing. I salute the man who had the courage to do it all, and do it in a manner that was forthright, upfront and not taking no for an answer but fighting all odds to make it all happen.

Read the book, you will not be disappointed.