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WHAT A LIFE
An Autobiography

Niels Ove Jørgensen

148,00 kr. + forsendelse

This autobiography covers a period of 80 years from a fairly normal childhood in Assens, Denmark during Second World War to quite an unusual life in Nairobi, Kenya with some stops in between.
Apart from a short family background and an adventurous backpacking tour of the world in 1963 the emphasis of the book, however, is on a budding academic career combining teaching and research in "Housing Finance for Low Income Groups in Developing Countries" (the title of the author's first book). After some years in the UN system the international bureaucracy was abandoned in favour of self-employment as a consultant specializing in "Housing for the Poor".
Over a period of 25 years with consulting work in many countries his theories of housing finance were tested in practice. New ideas and paradigms were applied to the world of shelter for the less fortunate who strive to own their own house. They know that a house is not only a "roof over their head" but can be a source of income and thus an improvement in their standard of living. To acquire a house is typically the biggest investment they will ever make and it is therefore critical that access to finance is compatable with their ability to pay. A number of selected projects illustrate how this can be done.
After retirement in Kenya the author and his wife initiated a scholarship programme for deserving (academically and socially) Kenyan students. How the programme works and some typical profiles of students provide an insight into an imperfect education system and the struggle it is to get ahead when you have no money and no tradition for education.
The book ends with some observations of living in a country where nepotism and impunity foster ubiquitous corruption and give rise to civil unrest. Yet the author's optimism becomes apparent in the way he and his family have adjusted to the changing circumstances.

Vejl. udsalgspris: 148,00 kr.
218 sider. Format 15,5 x 23 cm.
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