FRIENDS IN NEED ... TRUE FRIENDS INDEED! HELPING US CHANGE THE WORLD.

July 4, 2020

Dear Friends:

As we at Teach the World immodestly (and perhaps brashly) try to change the world, it is fantastic to have the support of friends like Peter High and George Corbin on this mission.

We are now in 3 countries and 15 locations--all VERY poor and underdeveloped—teaching little kids to read, write, do math. Results are heartwarming--to the core! Not just in learning, but in happiness, enjoyment, self-confidence, sense of self-worth, 21st Century skills ... and this too for 5 – 10 year olds! Why? Because we use the world's best games to teach, on the most user-friendly devices in the world--tablets and smartphones!

Since we started Teach the World four years ago, we have learnt some big lessons. Four years ago, we believed we were addressing a HUGE problem; now we know it to be 2 - 3 times bigger. Four years ago, we were confident our solution was viable; today, we know it to be exponentially more powerful.

Here’s our problem: Two out of seven people on the planet can barely read, are largely unproductive ... and a big loss for themselves, their families, their countries, and the world. 

Ask yourself one simple question: where would you be if you were illiterate? Let me illustrate with an example. Compare Sierra Leone, one of the poorest countries in the world (in sub-Saharan Africa) with the US:

·     57% illiteracy ... vs 1% for the US

·     1/100th the per capita income of the US

·     An average life span that is a quarter of a century shorter than that of Americans! 

Bottom line: This world is our world ... and this problem is our problem. While the challenge is immense, the opportunity is even greater. It will take all of us, which is why I am so appreciative of the support of my friends. And while the future is a topic for another post, I am completely confident we can solve it. As Einstein said: In the midst of every crisis, lies great opportunity; I speak of Covid-19 and its unexpected positive implications for digital learning ... but more on that soon. 

Thank you Peter, for highlighting our mission at Teach the World on your blog and earlier on Forbes. And lest we forget, for years at Marriott your superb Metis team was our rock (Chris Davis and Alex Kraus, ably supported by Brandon Metzger later) without which we would not have had such great success. Thank you also for becoming a believer in the great promise of digital learning.

And George, it was my great good fortune to have you by my side at Marriott for 13 years. Your tremendous leadership, intellect, integrity, energy (and your gift of turning a 100 slide deck into a single slide ... with a million builds!) were crucial as we grew our digital business a hundred-fold. You were the MVP on my team ... and nobody would deny or grudge you that. And in my new social good chapter, you are advisor, champion, cheer-leader. Thank you!

Once again, thank you Peter and George. With your help and that of others similarly motivated, we can change the world! Absolutely, positively!