Seeing Hope Where I See Despair

"I believe that every individual has the power to bring about significant change, good or bad. Whether we choose to use that power — and for what purpose — defines our legacy."

-Scott Neeson

Last week Scott Neeson, from the Cambodia Children's Fund, was our keynote speaker for our DirectRelief Women's event.  Scott found hope where I would find hopelessness.  Now, I have a passion for travel and I have a passion for wanting the world to be a better place.  But, I prefer to travel to indigenous villages over cities and I've recently realized why.  I am selfish.

I find the poorest of villages to be filled with hope because of the power a village has to provide a sense of joy through pride in your culture and pride in a shared sense of purpose .  When I see the poor in the cities, I feel hopelessness, despair, and oppression.  While it is not without it's value to experience this as a traveler, selfishly I don't like it. 
 
Scott saw things differently.  In 2004, Scott was on holiday in between jobs as a high profile Hollywood executive.  We are talking major success -  multiple homes, multiple cars and boats, single playboy life, the works.  While in Cambodia, he was exposed to what I would consider the most desperate circumstances possible, children living in the municipal garbage dump, many abandoned, wearing everything they own, no home, no community, and no hope.

Scott proceeded to sell everything, quit his job, and dedicate his life to helping the most destitute of children.  Today the Cambodia Children's Fund cares for and provides comprehensive services like housing, education, and health to over 1,200 children and their families in the dump region.

I have no idea how Scott found hope in the most hopeless of circumstance, but I sure am glad there are people in this world with that ability and power.  Something I noticed about Scott's approach is he didn't try to save all of all of the world's children (I imagine based on the power trip he was on he might have thought he could), or all of Cambodia's children, or even all of Phnom Penh's children.  He picked a distinct area and went really deep, and I mean really deep and he started with just one child.


We can't all be a Scott Neeson, but a few things I took away from his talk and questions to ask ourselves:

• There is always hope where it feels hopeless.  Where do you feel its hopeless and where is there hope in this situation?

• Making a difference in one person's life is making a difference.  Where can you make a difference in just one person's life?

• The value of depth versus breadth.  Where can you go deeper with your involvement on one issue or one organization?

What I Thought Was a Smart Question

It's been awhile since I've posted, but I am back with an updated profile justifying why I still consider myself an everyday philanthropist even though I am now employeed in the nonprofit sector.  My recent trip to Guatemala, as a volunteer of DirectRelief, reminds me that regardless of the work I do, I am at heart just an everyday person trying to make a difference and I continue to wrestle with what is making a difference.

Our original intention for the trip was a "service" trip.  The DirectRelief partner we visited, ADRI provides comprehensive community development for 41,000 indigineous Guatemalan's in the Alta Verapaz region.  Notice, I said 41,000 not 40,000, that is because they are excellent at tracking every stat in the villages down to pet vaccinations.  The amazing program manager, Ruby started off providing us an overview of their main programs.

I proceeded to ask what I thought was a very smart question:  How did they determine the program areas?  Are these the essential areas of development identified by experts needed to improve conditions in developing communities?  Without missing a beat and with complete respect, Ruby replied,  "We asked the people in the villages we serve."  And BOOM a lightbulb went off!  Who was I, as a white middle to upper class American, to think these people needed experts to tell them what they needed.

I recovered from my gross error in thinking and we began our "service."  We helped to paint a clinic, we planted yuca root at a village school, and we even got to give out TOMS shoes.  Did our "service," make a difference?  Absolutely not!  Were their many intangible benefits to us being of "service" besides trying to make a bunch of American women feel good?  Absolutely!

Don't get me wrong, there was an inherent tension to doing this type of trip.  Unless you have a true skill and a chunk of time, it's unlikely you are going to blow into a developing country and do anything the locals can't do for themselves.  Does that mean the trip was a waste of time for both the participants and the partner?  In my opinion, it was net positive for everyone. 


What were the benefits of our "service?"

• Although Ruby and his colleague, Esteban, spent two full days letting us be of "service,"  our visit gave them the opportunity to show off and take pride in the work they are doing.  I hope our visit and praise was in some way a gift of reflection and affirmation to keep them inspired to do the work they are doing.

• While it was fascinating for us to gawk at the villagers, our visit was exciting for them, too and lots of laughter was exchanged (mostly due to my goofball friend, Rachael who was good at getting the kids to laugh).  Is this such a bad thing?  I hope our interest in their efforts to improve their lives also gave them pride and inspiration to keep helping themselves.

• There is nothing like seeing first hand the lifestyle of someone who lives in an indigenous village to give you compassion, appreciation for your own life, and inspire you to continue to volunteer your time to improve our world community

• Our visit elevated us to unofficial ambassadors of the good work DirectReleif is doing which we hope will cultivate more supporters of DirectReleif locally and in turn benefit partners around the world like ADRI.

• At the most basic level, in exchange for making us feel of "service,"  ADRI received both a cash donation and a physical donation of goods from us to support their programs. Neither would have be received without our visit.

• And finally, I was reminded of the wonderful Tao of Leadership

Go to the people

Live among them

Learn from them

Start with what they know

Build on what they have

But for the best leaders

When their task is accomplished

Their work is done

The people will all remark

We have done it ourselves.  

Turning Data into Intelligence

There is something that fascinates me about how technology can help solve community solutions.  I am not talking about posting a cause on Facebook and asking people to "like it."  I am talking about creating a real solution or an aid to a real solution.

However, I will admit, at our DirecRelief Women's Fall Gathering when CEO, Thomas Tighe said he was going to show an interactive map of DRI's response to hurricane Sandy, I wanted to quickly get on with the topic we came to hear about, DirectRelief Women's impact on maternal child health in Africa.  But, as he showed the power of data turned into intelligence for helping DRI distribute medical supplies in response to hurricane Sandy, you could hear the room of almost 70 women gasp in amazement.

This multi-million dollar technology was taking DRI's supply chain information, combining it with partner metrics, and layering open source data on top of it at no cost to DRI.  So what exactly does that mean? 

The technology developed by Palantir, works like this:

1. It takes open source data from government agencies like NOAH and determines the hurricane's path before and after it hits. 

2. It can combine this with data from Universities on the most vulnerable socioeconomic counties to determine where there is the greatest need. 

3. DRI can then look at shipping records and medicine use trends of DRI partners in these areas to identify the most critical needs and immediately start shipping supplies.

To see this technology in action, and more examples, checkout this short video or click here:

TAKEAWAYS:

1.  The ability to use technology to solve community issues should not be underestimated.

2.  This is an excellent example of a cross sector solution.  This technology was developed by a private corporation which is using government and university data to help a nonprofit be as responsive and effective as possible with medicines provided by private corporations.  Wow!  Could we ask for anything more?

Good News for Direct Relief International

Santa Barbara based, Direct Relief International (DRI) got some good news this week. DRI is ranked highly on three lists recently released by Charity Navigator.

Direct Relief was ranked No. 2 of the top 10 “Top Notch” charities. These “Top Notch” charities are recognized because of their high performance in three key areas: (1) financial, (2) accountability and transparency, and (3) effectiveness and results.

Direct Relief not only earned the highest Four-Star rating for their financial strength, but also met all 17 of Charity Navigator’s accountability and transparency metrics.

You can visit Charity Navigator’s site and look over the lists:
No. 2 Top Notch Charity
No 4. Slam Dunk Charity
No. 2 Charity Everyone's Heard Of

Tidbits

I love that people are sending me things for the site so I am starting a Tidbit post in order to share them with everyone and to tell you about updates to existing pages on this blog.

• Fund for Santa Barbara is presenting the 12th Annual Socila Justice Award for Documentary Film.  You can see the films from Jan 27th and Feb 6th and get more information on their website. 

•  A committed and energetic group of youth, from ages 7-11, that are passionate about helping vulnerable children and mothers around the world, are participating in Direct Relief Youth.  One-hundred percent of the money they raise will help DRI's Maternal and Child Health programs.  You can help with their goal of raising $5,000, which will allow DRI to send $150,000 in medicine globally and domestically, by supporting their current flower fundraiser.  The group will also have two more community projects and two more guest speakers this year.  For more information on the fundraiser and/or getting your child involved, please contact Margaret Spencer at: 805-451-4872

• Life is Good Kids Foundation  is supporting kids in Haiti.  The Life is Good Kids Foundation is an action-oriented non profit, committed to helping young children overcome life-threatening challenges such as extreme poverty, violence, illness and natural disasters.

 New links on existing pages:

"Giving Gifts" Page:

Nest  is a beautiful site and is a nonprofit organization that empowers female artists around the world. Using a unique combination of interest-free microfinance loans, mentoring from established designers, and a market in which to sell their crafts, Nest helps its loan recipeints create successful small businesses.

"Useful Links" Page:

Guardian Global Development  this site, to help focus the world's attention on global development issues, was just launched in September 2010 with a grant from the Gate's Foundation.

Center for Global Development a site of independent ideas and research for global prosperity.

End Poverty 2015 Millennium Campaign  the "United Nations Millennium Campaign" site supports and inspires people from around the world to take action in support of the Millennium Development Goals.

Sudan, Haiti, Microfinance Questioned, Solutions

SUDAN - over the years, much has been in the news about the human genocide happening in Darfur.  This election could possibly split the country into two with unknown positive or negative results for its people's welfare.

Jimmy Carter and Nicholas Kristof Answer Readers' Questions About Sudan, Take 1 - NYTimes.com
This is a great link to hearing from Kristoff and former President Carter about the current election situation in Sudan and its impact.

Cameron Sinclair: Southern Sudan: Building a New Nation

 Good comments about what Sudan will need if the country splits.  Points out the role of aid and possible negative impact, "where aid funding undermines economic incentive or a government's ability to develop local systems is dangerous and can lead to further destabilization."

MICROFINANCE UNDER QUESTION - Just like it is hard to see well meaning foreign aid groups under attack, it's frustrating to see microfinance now being questioned.  After reading these articles I am taking the stance that done ethically it is a good program.

In India, Microcredit Has Suffered a Black Eye - NYTimes.com

Article talking about hostility toward micro lenders and the attempt to blame the Nobel prize winner who mainstreamed it in India, Muhammad Yunus.

Suicides in India Revealing How Men Made a Mess of Microcredit - Bloomberg

Important point that many knock off lenders are in it for the profit and to take advantage.  Muhammad Yunus  addresses difference between Grammens Bank and the others.

Is Bangladesh Trying to Take Over Grameen Bank? - NYTimes.com

And from Kristof, "Bangladesh has thrived in recent decades because of the strength of its civil society — especially Grameen and the equally amazing organization BRAC. Government governance has frankly been disappointing, but civil society has helped account for Bangladesh’s enormous gains. If the government is now going to crush the country’s strongest sector, heaven help it."

HAITI - On the one year mark of the earthquake, I have to include something.

Charity Navigator Special Report - Haiti Earthquake: One Year Later - Main

 This is a great resource for getting more on the impact NGO's have had in Haiti especially with all of the bad press they have been getting.

An Unguarded Portrait of Haitian Spirit: Damon Winters Depicts a Disabled Dancer - NYTimes.com

Great story behind how the NYT Haiti cover shot was captured.

One year after the earthquake, Haitians wonder if international aid is keeping their country poor. (2) - By Maura R. O'Connor - Slate Magazine

This is a four part series.  I don't agree with all of it, but I found this second article the most interesting.


Direct Relief International: Emergency Response - Haiti Earthquake
 DRI's recap of the impact they have had this last year in Haiti.  Despite all of the negative press NGO's have been getting, let's not forget the good work that is still done.  You can also see CEO Thomas Tighe interviewed at msnbc.com Video Player.  I like his quote, "There is no option to quit."


SOLUTIONS:  "Fixes" is online only at the New York Times.  It focuses on currently implemented solutions to social problems and why they work.  Always interesting to read.

To Beat Back Poverty, Pay the Poor - NYTimes.com

This article discusses what it refers to as a more successful solution that can be implemented on a larger scale and that is paying the poor.  Current successful examples are included.

A Light in India - NYTimes.com

This article addresses how some of the greatest advances come from taking old ideas or technologies and making them accessible to millions of people who are underserved. In this case, electricity from corn husks.  

And to finish some things up:

Rich Tafel: A Bipartisan Strategy for Sharpening U.S. Foreign Aid

Good article on the the US government aid agency's future. It's direction and what it needs.   Emphasis is on aid that fosters economic development as a solution to poverty which is what I am reading more and more about as the best direction from people like Kristof.

Local and Misc.

Local Dentist Does Goodwill in Afghanistan
from The Independent
Inspiring story about a local dentist who set up practice in Afghanistan


Palmer Jackson Elected to Santa Barbara Foundation Board
from Noozhawk
Three new trustees announced, including Palmer.  Also, another mentioned of their new website and the recent announcement of their new grant recipients at sbfoundation.org


Volunteers Help Direct Relief International
from Noozhawk
I am only including this article because I participated in this event.  It was rewarding taking the time from what felt like constant consumerism for my own family to help those less fortunate.  I suggest you put a reminder in your calendar for next Dec to find out when they will be dong it.  Of course you can help throughout the year, but this was just very timely.


Website Challenges Rich to Give Back Tax Cut
from MSNBC
Read this article and check out www.giveitbackforjobs.org to see if you should be giving back your tax break.


How Aid Can Hinder Southern Sudan 
from Huffington Post
I naturally think, "the more aid the better" in terms of solving world poverty so it's interesting to me to realize this isn't always true and why.



Top Ten 2010 Victories from Change.org
from Change.org
Change.org is the leading site for social change, providing daily news and information about important social issues and empowering people to take action.


Obama Creates Council to Promote Social Change
from Chronicles of Philanthropy
New council to advise Obama on social change includes former executive director of Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and Jon Bon Jovi.

Local Weekly Non-profit Highlights

We are fortunate to not only live in a place as beautiful as Santa Barbara, but to live where there is a deep commitment to community and where so many non-profits are doing such great work.  Thanks to Noozhawk.com for doing a wonderful job covering non-profits.  This is just a sample of what stood out to me.  Check out their site for more complete coverage.

Rotary Clubs, Direct Relief Step Up for Southern Sudan
from  noozhawk.com
Direct Relief International (DRI) is one of my favorite non-profits in Santa Barbara.  It is the largest international aid organization in California and for those of you that thought they were just disaster relief, you have another thing coming to you.  Check out their website to learn how much more they really do.

Direct Relief International Receives 100% Efficiency Rating 
 from Noozhawk.com
I just stated above how much I like DRI and this is just more proof of what a great organization they are.


Efforts to Close Achievement Gap Begin with Three Local Schools
from noozhawk.com
Education reform is one of my top issues.  I believe, thanks to the leadership of some amazing people in this town, that Santa Barbara County is one of the leading counties in the nation addressing education issues.  You will see much more on what we are doing locally to address this issue.


Impact Grants Awarded by Santa Barbara Foundation
from EdHat.com
Another thing that makes Santa Barbara great is the Santa Barbara Foundation.  The positive impact this community foundation makes is astounding.  Be sure to check out their new website!


Santa Barbara Scholarship Foundation Community Leaders Luncheon
from Noozhawk.com
The best part of having your own blog is you get to promote the organizations you think the mostly highly of.  The Santa Barbara Scholarship Foundation is one of those organizations.  I was lucky enough to attend this luncheon and was very impressed with the student speaker.  I only wish my 12 year old could have heard Marissa's story of how much resilience and perseverance it took for her to make her way to college.  Read her story here.

Barbara Ben-Horin New SBMA Director of Development
from The Independent
Lastly, I include this article because I know Ms. Ben Horin and for my numerous friends involved with SmArt Families, the Santa Barbara Museum of Art is fortunate to have such an accomplished and sophisticated development director.