Get a down payment on that first gig and you have operating funds in a country where apparently there are developers working for $100 / month. You don't need to get an office right away. Work solo at first if you need to or pickup another local developer who can work from home. Or pick someone else up off O-desk. Build more funds and you get more options.

> And if you agree that (s)he can't do projects alone, why do you suggest making and monetizing her/his own projects?

Good point. We all have problems at times with discipline when working from home. It's something we can get over, but it also depends on the underlying reasons for the lack of discipline. You have more room to experiment when you are working on your own projects.