It may not be the season of giving, but as I have been visiting family and friends in the United States many people have asked me about charitable giving opportunities with international organizations. I've put together a few things to consider before making a donation and have also listed some good organizations that are in need of support.
A few things to consider before making a donation to an international humanitarian organization:
GO LOCAL BEFORE GLOBAL - there are organizations in your community in the United States that desperately need your help and financial support. Volunteering with a local organization is a great way to learn about needs facing American communities and volunteering locally will give you a better understanding of global issues: by volunteering with a local food bank, you are exposed to the impact of hunger on individuals, families and communities as well as how food relief operations are organized.
RESEARCH BEFORE GIVING- while large international organizations may have recognizable names, it doesn't necessarily mean that they distribute donations appropriately. Find out what percent of donations go to overhead and what percent goes towards actual programs. A good non-profit organization should divert 10% or less of donation funding for administrative costs. In general, large organizations like the United Nations, World Vision, and Save the Children have high overhead costs and are also notorious for mismanaging funds.
If you want to donate to organizations working in Africa, here are some of my favorites:
Jesuit Refugee Services (http://www.jrs.net) - JRS is one of the few organizations that offers social services to refugees in camps in Kenya. In Kakuma Refugee Camp in northwestern Kenya, JRS offers community-based counseling for survivors of trauma, an innovative program for refugees with developmental disabilities, and a program for vulnerable women. This is the only organization I have heard of that has services for refugees with developmental disabilities - a problem that is often overlooked in environments with populations with high rates of mental illness and undiagnosed developmental disabilities.
The Fistula Foundation (http://www.fistulafoundation.org) - The mission of this organization is to raise awareness of and funding for fistula treatment, prevention and educational programs worldwide. Obstetric/vaginal fistula is a serious problem for women worldwide and often leads to health problems, social isolation, and divorce. Although it can be treated relatively cheaply and easily, many women throughout Africa cannot afford or seek treatment.
Amani Ya Juu (http://www.amaniafrica.org) - Amani is a sewing-marketing-training project for marginalized women in Africa. The main center is located in Nairobi, Kenya with sister centers in Rwanda and Burundi. Amani has a fantastic income-generating project in Nairobi and they have great crafts outreach programs working with refugee women living in camps and urban centers in Kenya, Rwanda and Burundi. Amani also has a U.S.-branch office.
The Center for Victims of Torture (http://www.cvt.org) - CVT offers a range of services to survivors of torture so they can heal physically, mentally, and emotionally. Based in Minnesota, the organization has expanded by establishing counseling services for survivors of torture in Sierra Leone, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Jordan.
Mapendo International (http://www.mapendo.org) - Mapendo works to fill the unmet needs of African refugees by giving assistance to individuals, families and groups overlooked by existing aid programs. This organization has done fantastic work with vulnerable refugees in Nairobi and has started expanding its programs to all of Southern Africa.
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