Alex Martin wasn’t familiar with the concept of global development when he made a satellite phone call from a warship in the Gulf of Aden to Nuru International founder Jake Harriman.
He didn't have background knowledge of agriculture, education or health care, and he didn't know how he would put his skills to use in a development context. But he knew he wanted to learn more about the anti-poverty intervention Harriman had started in Africa.
What Martin did possess was 11 years of experience in the United States Marine Corps. After three tours in Iraq, he was deployed on a counter-piracy mission off the coast of Somalia. In fact, he was reflecting on the successful mission he and his platoon had just executed — reclaiming a merchant ship and capturing the pirates who had forcefully taken it — right before he called Harriman.
Read more Devex career articles:
● The 'accidental' agriculture expert
● Behind the lens: An aid worker's story
● Doris Youngs: The road to chief of party
About the author
Kelli Rogers@kellierin
Kelli Rogers has worked as an Associate Editor and Southeast Asia Correspondent for Devex, with a particular focus on gender. Prior to that, she reported on social and environmental issues from Nairobi, Kenya. Kelli holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Missouri, and has reported from more than 20 countries.
