Welcome to Sustainable Livelihoods
Sustainable Livelihoods was founded in June 2008 as a consulting organization of one, Dr. Jeffrey A. Asher, who is its Owner and President.
After 21 years with Consumer Reports, I have just retired as its Vice-President and Technical Director to enthusiastically embrace a new focus for my life to “do good globally.” In my previous position, I over saw all the testing done for this esteemed magazine and website. Consumer Reports focuses on supporting and protecting the US consumer.
My new focus and passion will be to assist those in emerging countries at the bottom tier—entrepreneurs who happen to be poor and earn $1 a day. By testing products to change local markets and providing culturally appropriate technology solutions, my consulting work will result in more sustainable livelihoods for those that need this help the most.
My Mission: Making secure the entrepreneurial efforts of the working poor who earn $1 a day in emerging countries around the world. Together with other partners, Sustainable Livelihoods will work to develop and disseminate culturally-relevant, technical solutions to solve critical problems of the working poor one family at a time.
This work could include a farmer in need of irrigation pumps or, for his family, improved cooking stoves and clean water. These challenges might be solved by what appears to be low technology solutions and yet could have a major impact to improve and sustain the lives of many.
I cannot do this alone and will be partnering with established not-for-profit organizations, NGO’s and Foundations as well as Governments to make a difference through technological advances, large or small. In doing this work, I hope to bring positive, sustainable change to families in developing nations.