What is help to a poverty stricken village or a hungry person?
Is it giving them condoms when they have nothing to eat? Is it giving some child a box of stuff once every 5 years (if that?) Here are suggestions for helping and making your money go as far as possible.
Make arrangements that items are purchased in the country where they will be used. This stimulates the local economy and gifts and food are culturally appropriate. As much as possible ensure that the money does not go towards shipping, administration, brokerage and/or customs fees. Try to remain a constant presence until the person/family/village has become independent.
There are numerous charities out there that follow the guidelines above. Our parish supports a mission in Peru. Money goes into the Padre's account in Canada (he is a Canadian missionary priest) and he purchases food, blankets, shoes, etc. in Peru.
It's a win/win situation!
PS - I once read a story where some organization donated peanut butter to poor people in a war torn country. These people had no idea what peanut butter was. They did not like it no matter how hungry they were. The peanut butter came in tubes. The children played with them, squishing the peanut butter all over the ground. What a waste.
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