I have some suggestions about organizations doing things that work: BRAC (just won the prestigious Conrad Hilton humanitarian prize), Barefoot College (training barefoot solar engineers for much of the developing world), Honey Bee Network (finding and helping rural innovators in India), and some models that work – APOC (African program for control of onchocerciasis), which has an effective model of community-directed treatment that is proving effective for other things apart from river blindness. (In fact, I am working on a book about new conversations in international development now.)

For some examples of what works, see http://hopebuilding.pbwiki.com.

And for a challenge to find a solution. RUTFs (ready to use therapeutic foods) could save as many as 75% of the world’s severely malnourished children – but there are not enough factories in Africa producing them. The French company that developed the formula for Plumpy’nut, the best-known RUTF, apparently is willing to share the formula with any NGO who asks. But there needs to be more governments in Africa, more NGOs working in Africa, and even maybe the US and Canadian governments putting a priority on RUTFs. How often have we had a solution in international development that works so effectively? People like MSF call it a miracle, and say RUTF is like an “antibiotic” for hunger.

Rosemary

Thanks for the comment and the link to ASAP — great to know what they’re doing.

I agree, there’s a *huge* opportunity for microphilanthropy to amplify what’s working well at the local level in communities like the ones impacted by ASAP.

And groups like ASAP and the people they benefit have a greater opportunity than ever before to communicate clearly about the kind of help they really want and need (I’m thinking here about Peter Brock’s work that you wrote about; link below), and not to just be the “passive grateful recipients” of any kind of aid that comes their way.

http://www.socialactions.com/they-come-in-the-name-of-helping

Thanks for the suggestion, and yikes, I thought I was successfully avoiding jargon! Shows you how insidious it can be…

Where these two examples are concerned, though, it’s just a matter of my complicating things unintentionally.

Instead of saying “assistance-delivery” I could have just said “helping.”

And instead of “P2P techno-activity” I could have just said “peer-to-peer technology.”

Honestly, I want to be using language that’s completely accessible. Thanks for helping me keep it real

I’m a huge fan of The Uplift Academy, and its network of truly visionary thinkers.

The way I see it, micro-philanthropy has a role to play in amplifying what’s already working. As individuals increasingly use social media to donate directly to local community based organizations, the role for western BINGOS (big international non-governmental organizations) is reduced.

Let’s look for examples of organizations in the global south that are doing great work. The ones that know how to use social media to get their message out will help international donors bypass the BINGOS. As micro-philanthropists connecting directly to community based organizations, we can assist in scaling-up (amplifying) the work these groups are already doing.

I’m in South Africa at the moment, discovering a huge range of inspiring local initiatives to overcome difficult situations.

For example, have a look at ASAP — African Solutions to African Problems.

http://www.africansolutions.org/

Love what you’re doing!!