where women celebrate their ageless authenticity
Seems like we often spend a lifetime trying to find our purpose. At 60, Karon Wright found hers. How does one decide to follow where their heart leads them, even if it’s worlds away in Uganda? It takes belief. Her inspiring journey shows us how one act can create a ripple that turns into a tidal wave of transformational change. She had no idea where to start, yet she began. And she’s still just beginning. What she’s learning about herself, and the power of love gives each of us permission to also ask ourselves “where do we wish to shine our light?”
What brings you joy these days?
It could be so many things… On a given day, it could be my sweet little cat waking up and rubbing my face. Hearing birds outside my window. I love that. Feeling the sunshine. Simply the joy of being alive, again.
How did The Greater Contribution find you at age 60? What was the spark?
Funny you should say that because it really found me. I was a teacher for 16 years. Then I became an actor, a director and a producer. I loved helping young actors, and I always volunteered somewhere, but it wasn’t front and center. Until I read this book called “The End of Poverty.” I couldn’t get over the staggering statistics of 20,000 people dying each day of poverty, most of which are children under the age of five. And it’s preventable. I had always believed poverty was a fact of life, until I really realized how naive I was.
I had a circle of friends here in Southern California where we all had good jobs. We lived in nice houses, drove nice cars, and our problems were more like where could I find a blouse to match my outfit, not how will I feed my family today?
So, I decided I wanted to do something to help. Whatever it was. I had no idea what, but at lunch with my friends I told them I was going to fight poverty. And they were foolish enough to say, ‘we’ll help you.’ So, the four of us started researching what other groups were doing. Organizations were digging wells and doing vaccination work and all kinds of things. That’s when I really became enamored with micro finance because it gave people choices. Maybe they didn’t need a well in their village, or maybe there was a clinic nearby for vaccinations. But, if they had a small business, they could buy water, or get a bicycle, or better their families in other ways.
Every year the United Nations publishes a list of the poorest countries in the world. Uganda always ranks at the top. A woman at my church heard me talking about what I wanted to do. And she shared with me she had family in Uganda who really needed help.
One thing led to another. There are no coincidences, you know. My husband is a wildlife photographer, and we were going on safari in Tanganyika, so before coming home I flew to Uganda to meet with members of my friend’s family living there. I remember thinking, ‘what if no one shows up? Oh, heck, I’ll figure it out.’ I met up with her family in a remote village along with 20 other women. It was 2007. They became the first micro loan recipients for what would become The Greater Contribution. Since then, we’ve funded just over 35,000 micro loans. And when you multiple that with dependents per household we’ve helped about 70,000 people. That’s personal to me. How is that even possible? It makes me aghast honestly.
Who was your greatest inspiration growing up?
My grandmother. She taught me you don’t have to know how. You just have to know what. There were so many times with The Greater Contribution where I had no idea what I was going to do next. I’d sit at my desk thinking, uh, okay. Who can help me with this?
That’s when I think of my grandmother and her treadle sewing machine, which I see all over Africa now. She never gave up. She had no education yet taught herself to sew and became a brilliant seamstress. My mom told me stories of her childhood during the Depression. When she needed a new dress, if they could afford it, they would go into Macon, Georgia to look at dresses in the shop windows. Then my grandmother would buy fabric, and make the dress, without a pattern. A single mom, she ultimately ended up supporting her family by sewing uniforms for the navy. Grandma taught me to sew too. She didn’t get stuck on how it was to be done. She just found a way.
What motivates you most right now?
The women in Uganda. We get personal messages about how we’ve lifted them up or taken the shame out of their lives by giving them dignity and hope. Sometimes you think this can’t be true, it’s just too grandiose. And yet, it’s a recurring theme, spoken from the heart. When you uplift one, they tell the next one and the next, so it’s a movement, basically. I’m very grateful for the work I’ve been given to do. It’s a huge blessing.
What’s your favorite guilty pleasure?
Spending time alone in a movie theater watching a great movie with a bag of popcorn coated with butter. Getting lost in great performances, great cinematography, great writing. Filmmaking always has something wonderful to say.
Is there something you wish you were better at doing?
I don’t play very well. Seriously… My mother always said ‘You can have whatever you want. You can do whatever you want, if you’re willing to work hard enough.’ And I think that’s good and it’s also bad because I’ll tell you my failing is that I must work hard at playing. Ha, I’m still working on it (laughs).
You’ve been at the helm of The Greater Contribution for decades, and you’ve never taken a salary. How did that come to be, especially when you’re volunteering 100% of your time?
I was still working full time as an executive coach when I launched the organization, so I didn’t need another salary. When I retired, my thought was if I take a salary, then that’s money that can’t go to Africa, can’t help somebody who’s living in a mud hut. An income just didn’t seem fair. So, I guess it just sort of happened.
Is there something you valued before in your life that is no longer a priority these days?
I used to value my independence a great deal. It doesn’t quite mean as much to me anymore. Now I value relationships more.
Is there still something that’s yours to do?
Now that I’m 77, for the next chapter I really want to write a book. The voices of the Ugandan women need to be heard. I’m already recording a few of their stories. The truths and inspirations the women share with me are just so heartbreaking and beautiful at the same time. I want the world to know of their courage, of their lives so unlike ours, yet essentially the same in our desires. Early on, there were times when I could sit and talk with four or five women and hear these personal stories. But now when I visit the villages, it’s a big deal. Kind of a different thing.
The last time I was in Uganda 186 women from the village came out to greet me. They treat me like a rock star, so there’s not much space for getting up close and personal. I need to find some way to reconnect on that level because there’s an overarching story that needs to be told. These women have taught me so much. The world could benefit from their wisdom too.
In your annual travels to Uganda when you meet with the women in the villages, they are very generous in expressing their gratitude to you. Can you share with us a gift that has meant the most?
You always remember your first, right? It was a total surprise when I was gifted my first goat. Such an honor, and a generous gesture from a woman whose livelihood depends upon her livestock. I didn’t want to hurt her feelings, so I explained to her that I lived in a city and couldn’t take it back with me. I asked if she would kindly raise the goat for me and if it had any babies, please give it them to the poorest member of the village. She said she would but first she needed to trade it for a female. It was so sweet and respectful because she really wanted to do what I was asking. The women are all so beautiful, inside and out. I continue to receive chickens, goats, produce from their gardens, lovely handmade items, fabrics, and many, many, more treasures. I’ve found a way to graciously accept all the gifts, finding special homes for each one. My office is filled with a collection of keepsakes, and each has a story.
Are there things you’ve learned from the Ugandan women that have changed your life or given you the opportunity to view your days differently?
The women recognize characteristics and values inherent in people because they aren’t encumbered by materialistic things. They keep me humble so I can appreciate what matters most.
In my most recent visit I was touched so profoundly, by the simplest of gestures. We were visiting a village that was just beginning the program, only one or two loan cycles in. Not long enough to make a huge change in their lives. We’d just started to make some impact.
This one young woman greeted me by yelling across a large expanse, to say, ‘Mum, we love you for loving us.’ It just was so touching. In a culture where women are often soft spoken and seldom acknowledged, she was saying at the top of her lungs, you’ve made a difference for us. It wasn’t thank you for giving us money or more meals. It was thank you for loving us.
It brought it all home for me. This woman who’s living in a grass hut has access to more food today. Maybe she can give her child some shoes now. Or walk with more confidence.
That’s what The Greater Contribution is. It’s about loving people. Loving them enough to make a difference in their lives. Giving and getting back brings me such joy. I’m the real benefactor here. Funny how it works that way.
