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Allen Andersson - Honduras
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Allen Andersson, Peace Corps volunteer in Honduras (1966-1968), taught mathematics at the National University after studying at M.I.T. He later developed software applications and is now president of The Riecken Foundation, which creates public libraries and promotes prosperity and democracy in Central America.
CLICK on the player to listen to this eight minute interview, or on the link below to download the audio file to your desktop.
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Allen Andersson was in the Peace Corps in Honduras teaching math at the National University. He joined the Peace Corps in the middle of his M.I.T. studies because he always loved teaching and wanted an adventure where he could use his Spanish. He was also dodging the draft during the Vietnam War.
On his first day in Honduras, his group got a briefing from U.S. Embassy Political Counselor Robert White, whose wisdom, deep knowledge of Central America, and generosity of spirit made a lasting impression. When Allen decided to go back to Central America 35 years later, he called Robert White, who was then president of the Center for International Policy and had been U.S. Ambassador to Paraguay and El Salvador. Allen asked him to be his partner in ventures designed to bring prosperity and democracy to Central America. They have been working together since 2000.
Allen's first social venture was the Riecken Foundation, bringing rural libraries to Honduras and Guatemala. Riecken Libraries are run by citizens - unique in countries where every other institution is top-down. The libraries have more than books - they are the most important community centers in the villages, offering computers and internet connections, youth service groups, story hours for children and new methods of agriculture.
Allen has expanded beyond the libraries by setting up the only independent newspaper and radio in Honduras. His new ventures are designed to prove that honest businesses are more profitable than corrupt ones. He is going into the energy business with wind and hydro-electric projects. He also supports environmental advocacy, including a national march against illegal logging in national forests, which resulted in some officeholders losing their seats.
In 1998, he came out a few million dollars ahead on the sale of his telecom software start-up. He and his wife decided to use the money to do something to help other people. Since then the fortune has multiplied through investments and entrepreneurial ventures.
He now operates Paperboy Ventures, which nurtures and commercializes underappreciated scientific discoveries, bringing to market technologies to convert fish heads and scales into amino acids, develop new therapies for diabetes, or turn brown coal seams into natural gas wells. He likes to get into businesses early, turn them into valuable properties, and to use all his capital gains to bring democracy and prosperity to Central America.
His advice to would-be entrepreneurs: “Capitalize on your own talents, follow your passions, make all the money you can, and then to use it all to make a crucial difference in peoples’ lives.”
CLICK on the player above to listen to his interview.
