From Silicon Valley to Swaziland

Feb 02, 2016
Wendy and Rick Walleigh
From Silicon Valley to Swaziland
After long and successful executive careers in Silicon Valley, Wendy and Rick Walleigh, of Los Altos, ran away to Africa -- to volunteer to help reduce poverty in developing countries.
 

But they didn't just help out for a couple of weeks here and there. They actually moved there for nearly two years, living first in Mbabane, Swaziland, for several months in 2006, and in Nairobi, Kenya, for a full year, working on consulting projects for the nonprofit TechnoServe, helping establish programs to assist small businesses.

 
Wendy and Rick Walleigh stand with a guide at the Blue Nile in Ethiopia in 2007. They left their high-tech careers to work in Africa as part of their next
Wendy and Rick Walleigh stand with a guide at the Blue Nile in Ethiopia in 2007. They left their high-tech careers to work in Africa as part of their next life chapter. (Courtesy of Wendy and Rick Walleigh)
 
 
 

They continue to revisit those countries, and Rick now works from home as a senior adviser with TechnoServe projects. They've since written a book about their experiences titled, "From Silicon Valley to Swaziland: How One Couple Found Purpose and Adventure in an Encore Career," with all royalties donated to TechnoServe. More information is on their website, www.walleigh.com.