Based on student interest and site feasibility, Madagascar was chosen as the destination for the 2006 Spring Break Pro Bono Consulting project. GSE organized approximately twenty students to consult with several organizations in this island country on business development and environmental projects.

This project aimed to apply Yale SOM students’ management techniques toward socially focused organizations in developing countries to help achieve sustainable growth. During the first two months of the spring semester, participants worked in teams of 4-5 with Malagasy businesses and non-profits to help address a specific business need. To foster a deeper understanding of the economic, political and social climate in which the students worked, students also took a six-week course entitled Managing Social Enterprises in Developing Countries taught by faculty from Yale SOM as well as guest lecturers. The project culminated in a two-week trip to Madagascar over spring break to work with client organizations and to deliver final presentations.

Click here for descriptions of the projects.