Empowerment + Resiliency: Shannon Fernando of Alabaster International

Studies have shown that international economic aid can be an important component of a developing country’s economy, but that too much aid can actually be harmful, undermining local enterprise and other indicators of independence. This week on Sea Change Radio, we speak with Shannon Fernando, the founder and CEO of Alabaster International, a small nonprofit with some big plans to make a significant impact in the Global South. We look at her organization’s model, learn about the promising African staple crop enset, and discuss the challenges of trying to provide short-term assistance to vulnerable populations while also setting the table for long-term economic health.