By: Elise Farley
Along with dysentery and malaria, apathy is one of the biggest killers in Africa. When people who have the capacity to help do nothing, the people who are in desperate need of the help will suffer and sometimes die. The problems faced by many cannot be solved by the effort of few.
One of the main problems in Africa’s struggle is that only a portion of the aid money donated from the rest of the world reaches the people on the ground who desperately need it. There are a number of reasons for the misappropriation, least of which are the high levels of corruption in Africa. These problems cannot be combated on a large scale and it is up to the small organizations and community groups.
So what can the individual do in terms of the massive struggle? The solution is quite simple, act now!
If you are living in Africa find an organization or project that you can help out by either raising funds for them or volunteering. There are some great organizations such as the Adonis Musati Project in Cape Town who are desperate for any kind of support.
Or if you are living abroad, you are not helpless or unaccountable and can still contribute by doing some fund raising. One pound goes a very long way when it is converted. When it comes time to choose a project to send the proceeds to, think small. Big organizations like WHO or Oxfam already have large amounts of funding and so rather try and find a small community based project to support. Ask your friends and family still living in Africa to keep an eye out for organizations, projects or causes that meet the criteria you have specified. If you would prefer you could also get them to use the funds and purchase blankets, food etc and they could personally go and distribute the items at an orphanage or a homeless shelter.
Some good fund raising ideas are, organizing a clothes or food collection day; having a cocktail evening or selling borewors rolls or cupcakes; golf days, raffles, auctions and so many more. There are many organizations out there, be sure to do your research before handing over any cash, unfortunately there are fraudsters out there.
Do something different today and be the change you want to see in the world!
One of the main problems in Africa’s struggle is that only a portion of the aid money donated from the rest of the world reaches the people on the ground who desperately need it. There are a number of reasons for the misappropriation, least of which are the high levels of corruption in Africa. These problems cannot be combated on a large scale and it is up to the small organizations and community groups.
So what can the individual do in terms of the massive struggle? The solution is quite simple, act now!
If you are living in Africa find an organization or project that you can help out by either raising funds for them or volunteering. There are some great organizations such as the Adonis Musati Project in Cape Town who are desperate for any kind of support.
Or if you are living abroad, you are not helpless or unaccountable and can still contribute by doing some fund raising. One pound goes a very long way when it is converted. When it comes time to choose a project to send the proceeds to, think small. Big organizations like WHO or Oxfam already have large amounts of funding and so rather try and find a small community based project to support. Ask your friends and family still living in Africa to keep an eye out for organizations, projects or causes that meet the criteria you have specified. If you would prefer you could also get them to use the funds and purchase blankets, food etc and they could personally go and distribute the items at an orphanage or a homeless shelter.
Some good fund raising ideas are, organizing a clothes or food collection day; having a cocktail evening or selling borewors rolls or cupcakes; golf days, raffles, auctions and so many more. There are many organizations out there, be sure to do your research before handing over any cash, unfortunately there are fraudsters out there.
Do something different today and be the change you want to see in the world!
1 comment:
A good example of this is Vimba: www.vimba.co.uk
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