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]

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.