In Sub-Saharan Africa, 12 million people who rely on smallholder agriculture have improved their yields and income with the help of a single, simple piece of technology: a human-powered water pump designed by Kickstart International (2005 Awardee). Kickstart calls these tools "MoneyMakers" and has devised farmer friendly financing to speed their deployment in the areas of greatest need.

Kickstart recently released "A Seed of Maize," a short, scripted film that places the viewer in the midst of one poor farming family as they face the biggest dilemma of their lives. Filmed in rural Zambia in a documentary vérité style by Emmy award-winning director Topaz Adizes and award-winning producer Ofir Kedar, the story explores universal issues — poverty, health, and girls’ education — against the backdrop of tradition, community, and family.

Watch "A Seed of Maize" and read the interview with Kickstart's Chevenee Reavis, Chief Strategy & Partnerships Officer at Skoll.