Good news this week for MBAs like myself who believe that business skill can be used to do good: we came across a trend towards more ethical MBAs, after last Spring's Harvard MBA class signed a sort of businessperson's version of the doctor's traditional Hippocratic Oath. Since then, schools across the country are adding ethics courses to the curriculum, and MBAs are being encouraged to see the degree as a tool for effective management, not just a ticket to a high paying job.

It isn't yet clear to me exactly how (and if) ethics can be taught to MBAs, however, I'd like to explore this further in future posts. But right now I'd like to turn your attention to an inspiring MBA who is harnessing her business expertise to bring water to developing countries, by helping to spread a simple design, which addresses the root causes that are trapping families and entire communities in poverty.

The Hippo has been in existence for 15 years, originally designed by two South African men and currently produced in South Africa, to facilitate the safe and efficient transport of water in the developing world. The original design cost $100 per unit, and holds approximately 24 gallons of water. For families in South Africa and many other parts of the developing world, water must be fetched multiple times throughout the day, the traditional methods (gerricans and buckets) only holding about 5-8 gallons at any time. The Hippo's volume and ease of use allows households to spend less time fetching water, and more time going to school, running businesses, and with their families.

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