Make A Difference

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I'm sure you had the same problem as I have wanting to make a difference but there are so many different organizations who need help it's hard trying to decide where to put our money. And to make matters worse, don't you feel a little obligated to donate to organizations that send things like calenders, mailing labels, note pads even jewelry pendants.

You know what it's like when during the holidays everybody is trying to convince you that the best way to make a difference is by giving to them and you're mailbox is full of convincing requests and small gifts.

We'd love to help them all but many of us are on a tight budget. Besides not all these requests are from organizations that will make the best use of our money.

Making choosing easier.

I happened upon a website called Charity Navigator that has helped me be so much smarter about my donations.
They rate over 5,000 charities, provide tips to make our donations more effective, allow us to search by category and provide so much information that helps make deciding easier.

With their help I have chosen a small group of organizations that I feel strongly about. I give to them knowing that my money is doing the most good. It makes me feel like I really can make a difference.

Ideas To Make A Difference

Below you will find some organizations to donate to based on helping animals, people and the environment. They are only suggestions so check them out yourself. Only you can determine if they are how you want to use your money. Follow your interests and then get off mailing lists or ignore some of those that come in the mail (recycle them).

This page will be an ongoing process. Any suggestions? Contact me. Most on this list are charities. Kiva.org is not.

Kiva

This is a rather unique program where you have the opportunity to choose an individual to loan to. They may use it to start a business, buy supplies or products for an existing business or make repairs. You can start out with just a little to see how it goes. My first loan was for $25.

Read about their needs, choose how much you want to loan them and over time the loan is repaid back to you and you can lend the money again to someone else if you choose.

So it is not a charity and is not tax deductible. But it is very rewarding to be able to pick who you want to help and then hear about their progress. The Kiva site is loaded with great information so read about it and get comfortable with the process.



The banner above is constantly changing with different individuals needing help. If you click on the banner you will be taken right to the individuals page to learn more about them.

Finca

Did you know that 70% of the world's poor are women? Finca focuses their efforts on helping women through micro financing. Small loans are given to individuals to help them start or build their business. They have developed a unique system called Village Banking where a group of 10-50 women manage the funds themselves. With the support and guidance from Finca they work together to approve the loans, set up repayment, create savings and more. The money stays in the community and they work together for the improvement of all.

Finca is working to bring help to one million of the poorest families by 2010 and you can make a difference by being part of that effort.

Doctors Without Borders

An independent organization that works to bring medical and health care to people throughout the world. They are often the first on the scene providing emergency aid no matter what kind of emergency from natural disasters and epidemics to conflict situations.

These brave men and women volunteers work in all kinds of dangerous and difficult situations to bring help to people in need.

Working with local groups to help stabilize a situation they make sure all the resources like clean water, food, medicines, medical equipment and facilities are up and functioning before leaving an area.

Find out more about how you can make a difference by clicking on the image below.

The David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust

Working in Kenya, at the Tsavo National Park an 8,000 square mile wildlife refuge home to the country's largest populations of elephants, this organizations has worked since1977 to protect this areas orphaned elephants. Along with establishing Kenya's first enclosed Rhino sanctuary and pioneering successful hand rearing of orphaned rhinos and elephants.

They are involved in a variety of different conservation programs withing this area. One look at their Orphan Project may have you wanting to help.

You Can Help People In Africa Have Clean Water

Picture kids in a dusty dry region of Africa riding a merry go round, maybe the only play equipment around. Just kids having fun. Nice to see in an area that experiences so many challenges.



They are riding around in circles on a Play Pump merry go round. A simple technique that allows the merry go round motion to pump water from the ground.

All too often the only sources of water in many regions of Africa are not clean or easily accessible. Providing water for a family can take hours of hard work that usually falls to women.

Play Pump International works to bring much needed access to fresh water. More than 900 Play Pumps are up and running in Africa benefiting millions of people.

Make a Difference For Women Victims of War

Throughout the world wars touch people's lives but perhaps some of the worst victims of wars in some of these regions is women. Women who are brutalized, raped, maimed or killed in the fighting.

These women often injured both emotionally and physically are left with no hope for the future. Often ostrasized from their own communities they have no where to turn and little reason to carry on. But....there is an organization who helps these women find their way back.

Through rehabilation, education and counseling Women for Women International gives these women hope. Reach out to a woman in need. Take a few minutes and watch the video below.