Next 10%?

[avad]

(x-posted to the 10percentclub)

I'm considering this project for my next 10% donation:
Worth: A Global Women's Empowerment Program
It seems very sustainable. Lots of info on the program in those sidebar links.
What do you guys think?

Comments

[wandruska.livejournal.com]

seems like a good cause but wouldn't be my first choice. do what you feel good about :)

[avad.livejournal.com]

out of curiosity, what Would be your first choice? I donate with every paycheck/art sale so I always like to learn about other projects/possibilities, maybe I'll donate towards it in the future.ONe of the reasons I started the 10percentclub is to hear about what other people like to support.

[wandruska.livejournal.com]

you & i have a different approach to these things. when it comes to charity i like to give money to emergency/conflict causes whereas you like to build up on what already has some hope, which is a great thing. but i prefer to do that in a mutual benefit approach, for example i like to buy products which benefit me because i use them and which benefit the producers because they get a fair deal. i also do random things like give loads of stuff to oxfam (and other charities) and buy things from their shops. i think charity is a good thing but in a situation of non-conflict it can be humilliating in the long term, people like to be given the opportunity to give something back even if it's just a good service or a good product. don't know if you understood any of it...

[avad.livejournal.com]

actually I don't think we don't have such a different approach at all.
I also like to give to emergency/conflict causes (wouldn't you consider the tsunami relief or the work in the Sudan of this nature?), am interested in and support fair trade, donate clothing and items. I agree and support all that. I also agree with what you say about simplistic 'charity' in non-conflict situations but if you look closely the organizations I support are not giving hand-outs.
The reality of the situation is that if we do not give attention to areas of need that are currently 'non-conflict/crisis', we are perpetuating a cycle of dependence and utter vulnerability. Instead of handouts, I believe in giving communities the tools and resources that foster self-reliance.
This particular project (Worth) for example has a strong emphasis on sustainability and personal responsibility, (the opposite of a humiliating dependence on handouts). The women form their own groups, learn to read, and basically work together to form a mini-bank to be able to help one another in each of their personal endeavors.
Each member is contributing and receiving.
These are the often invisible but needed first steps in getting on the PATH to fair trade. And Literacy is one of the few defenses against exploitation.
Another example would be the peace corps projects...let's say a health volunteer goes to a village...and after assessing sees that the main cause of diarrhea in all the children (many die of this)is contaminated water. He/she speaks to the village about this and a project is initiated to build eco-friendly latrines. The village must come up with a 25% contribution towards the total project cost and must also build the latrines with the volunteers. This makes it Their work, and a sense of ownership of the project is essential. Perhaps even more importantly, hands-on knowledge has been passed...and those villagers who were a part of the project now have a better understanding of a life-threatening health issue and the skills to help combat it. Perhaps they then can assist a neighboring village. The same with building schools, libraries etc. I think that most successful organizations are very sensitive to the psychological implications of 'hand-outs' and consciously veer away from that in their programs.

[wandruska.livejournal.com]

also, i wanted to say this: my 1st impression of this women's global empowerment seems to me a strange idea because it is global, and the truth is that people's traditions and social hierarchies in different countries do not always allow for this (seemingly) american template to apply onto women on a global scale.
it reminds me of something i heard once, about bush offering to help african countries but only if they agreed to take on specific moral standards.
it's easy to cross the wrong lines, you know? like my grandmother used to say, hell is full of good intentions :)

[avad.livejournal.com]

It's true. and a very difficult/complicated issue.I'm not saying it's easy. *sigh* But it actually goes against tradition to do many very compassion-based things.

I have a friend from morocco who alerted me to an organization that she was looking into nearby to her.
In Morocco, a woman that becomes pregnant outside of marriage is Outcast. This is regardless if she was raped.
It is a disgrace and that's that.
ok..
so now we have a pregnant woman...with no income...on the streets. great. well, hmmm we can let her fall to prostitution...or just wait til she hangs herself.
It's ok. It's tradition.
Anyway...so this group of women created a place where they could go and be safe and have the baby. and they collect donations of diapers and baby needs and blankets, etc etc.
And they were then trying to figure out how they could get the women to be self-sustaining...so they were working on income generation,literacy, getting them jobs, etc. Selima (my friend) went with the woman who heads this effort around on her day...and she said she was incredible..she never stopped...anything and everything she could do.
I give thanks that there are people like that. And I feel no qualms in supporting their efforts...even if some angry family member wants to burn the place down.
perhaps even more so.
*sigh*
so I guess that's where I stand on that.

[rokkitz.livejournal.com]

yes, this seems "worthwhile"
sure is a lot of info in the sidebars
*sigh*

[avad.livejournal.com]

ha. worthwhile. git it? *poke/hard nudge*;)
yes, I'm pretty much decided on this one for next donation.
Speaking of, I'd LOVE if you made a post about Amma's work and/or your food bank for the 10percentclub.
purtyplease?:)