Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
Available On Air Stations
Watch Live

Arts & Culture

The New Recruits

Customers of the social enterprise D.light Design in India test its solar-powered LED light.
Ironbound Films, Inc.
Customers of the social enterprise D.light Design in India test its solar-powered LED light.

Airs Thursday, June 17, 2010 at 10 p.m. on KPBS TV

"The New Recruits" is a documentary about a battalion of jet-setting business students armed with a radical plan to end global poverty: charge poor people for goods and services. This film takes an unflinching look at the burgeoning trend of social entrepreneurship, touted as a new alternative to charity. Presidents Obama, Bush and Clinton have all endorsed the movement; Bill Gates calls it "creative capitalism."

At the core of "The New Recruits" are three young, well-meaning, a little in-over- their-heads aspiring social entrepreneurs. Heidi Krauel, Joel Montgomery and Suraj Sudhakar are selected out of thousands to participate in the prestigious year-long Acumen Fund Fellows Program. The program sends 10 business students to work with Acumen-funded social enterprises in Kenya, India and Pakistan.

This film is a hilarious, evocative, edge-of-your-seat thrill ride along a road paved with good intentions. It is narrated by Rainn Wilson, who plays Dwight Schrute on NBC's hit comedy series โ€œThe Office.โ€ "The New Recruits" is on Facebook and you can follow them on Twitter.

Advertisement
Preview: The New Recruits

Fact-based local news is essential

KPBS keeps you informed with local stories you need to know about โ€” with no paywall. Our news is free for everyone because people like you help fund it.

Without federal funding, community support is our lifeline.
Make a gift to protect the future of KPBS.