The Affero Blog
Global Justice Links From This Week
By Marc Krejci in News
- Investing in Microfranchising: What Should I Know?
To date, this series has focused on the mechanics of microfranchising from the entrepreneurs' s point of view. (The term "entrepreneur" represents both the franchisee and the franchisor.) But to succeed, i.e. become profitable and scale, new businesses more often than not require infusions of capital to fuel growth. To that end, we at Ayllu would like to take a look at microfranchising from an investor's point of view.
- Lord’s Resistance Army terrorizing people of Southern Sudan
Albert Abuda might never see his children again. Long-haired, dirty men emerged from the dense bush around his village one day. They spoke a language he did not understand, fighting in a conflict equally as foreign and incomprehensible. They were members of the notorious Lord's Resistance Army, or LRA. They left with more than the year's harvest. His son is now likely training as a ruthless guerrilla warrior, and his 13-year-old daughter might be forced into commanders' harems.
- Escaping the Flood: A Story from Pakistan
It was July 25th, and I was on my way back home to Lower Dir in the Swat valley. Lush green rice fields and shiny clean newly constructed restaurants and huts along the right bank of River Swat were an enriching and peaceful sight. After a challenging five years period of terrorism, militancy, and consequent displacement of a massive number of villagers, I was pleasantly surprised to see reconstruction almost completed.
- Our advice re: donations for Pakistan flood
We’ve been researching the cause of disaster relief, with the goal of doing a better job than we have in the past serving the donors who come to us for help in the wake of a crisis. At this point our research is still in progress, but we can offer some basic advice to donors interested in helping as effectively as possible:
- MDG6: Malaria No More in Ghana
This video shows how Malaria No More UK, working with Nets For Life, are working to ensure that communities in Ghana can have access to bednets. They recognise that delivery alone is not enough to get people to use nets, so they are training up local people to speak about why it is so important to use the nets, and use them properly.
- Solar lamp, water filter aimed at India’s poor
The Sollys solar lamp and Sheba water filter are designed to help people in India who live without electricity and clean water.
CURE International Is August’s Winner!
By Lucas Parry in News
Dear Affero members,
What an exciting 5 months it has been since we launched!
First let me announce this months winner…. CURE INTERNATIONAL.
Earlier this year Marc Krejci, Peter Rees and I had the opportunity to spend time at CURE Internationals hospital in Uganda. You can read about that trip HERE. It was one of the most moving experiences of my life! This hospital sees over 2,500 patients a year and treats them for hydrocephalus and spina bifida. Literally saving thousands of lives. Together we have helped to fund some of these operations.
We sat and talked with the mothers of the children at the hospital, and with eyes of tears expressing the deepest gratitude, they send a heartfelt “thank you” to all of our members who have given and contributed to this cause. Affero helped to save their children’s lives!
WHAT WE’VE DONE THIS YEAR
It has given me great energy and joy to be a part of our small but growing community these past 5 months. I want to take a moment and share our success’s and marvel at what we’ve been able to achieve.
- We’ve given over $3,500 to 5 different organizations engaged in combating poverty and injustice
- 141+ registered monthly donors to date
- Donors in three countries: USA, Australia and New Zealand
- 14 Artist and Celebrity Endorsements
- Launch of the “I’M IN” Campaign
- Sponsored the Alive Festival in OH, Branding to over 20,000 people, 16+ volunteers, 400+ people signed up for the “IM IN” Campaign.
- Average of 20% growth each month in number of donors and funds released.
- Launch of the Affero blog, now with 6 guest weekly bloggers.
- 7 volunteer staff
- Completed our first international scout trip to Uganda
- 5 categories filled with partner organizations; Lifewater International, Lifesong For Orphans, CURE International, The Home Foundation and Doulos Discovery School for our first round of funding.
WOW! We’ve come a long way and we have much more ahead.
Over the coming months we’ll be in contact about many new initiatives we’re launching including; Affero website 2.0, The Pepsi Refresh Project, upcoming Affero Adventure trips for 2011, tours, events and much more. We’ll be asking you to ‘dive in’ and help us grow our community so we’re able to give away more money and impact the world in greater ways.
September 1st brings all 12 Categories up for voting… so be sure to check out every one of our partner organizations and the amazing work they are doing around the world that we get to be a part of.
Thanks for joining together in community to change the world.
Together we’re changing lives,
Lucas Parry
A World of Good
By Rob Harvey in News
I first learned of ODW through their work after the floods in Pakistan. There are amazing people and organizations doing amazing work to end extreme global poverty. This is very good news. ODW asks supporters to consider the impact of your one day’s wages, which they calculate to be equal to about 0.4% of your annual salary. At ODW, 100% of your donations go directly to organizations and projects.
As I’ve shared in a previous post, Affero is a movement of people, stories, and actions to alleviate extreme global poverty. Whether you intend to give a day’s wages or a little as $1 a month, we invite you to join the movement.
Consider this: 75 million children are out of school around the world. This would be like every primary school-aged child in Europe and North America being out of school.
Receiving an education is vital to the eradication of poverty worldwide and crucial in rebuilding devastated countries and economies. Much work has been done in this area in the past 10 years but more needs to be done. In South-Asia the adult literacy rate is 63 percent, nearly 20 percent lower than the global rate, while only 43 percent of females are likely to attend secondary school. In some African countries like Burkina Faso, the adult literacy rate is only 23.6%. Access to primary education and schools for all children is a vital need to combat this major global problem. With your help, organizations like Doulos Discovery School are making a difference.
Did you know that 900 million people to do not have access to clean water and lack basic sanitation cause 80% of all sickness and disease? Our friends at Lifewater International envision is a world where every person has safe water, improved sanitation, hygiene education, and the skills they need to pass on these resources to future generations. For three decades, Lifewater has worked to provide safe water to communities around the world by working with in-country partner organizations. Lifewater has seen thousands of communities and almost two million lives transformed by clean, safe water and improved health.
Thank you for joining the movement and for sharing the good news. Together, we share the stories and raise awareness. Together, we are doing a world of good.
Global Justice Links From This Week
By Marc Krejci in News
- Microloans for clean energy in the developing world
One-third of the world's population today has no access to any form of modern energy, relying instead on highly polluting fuels like wood and kerosene. Working on the premise that reliable energy is a key to fighting poverty — and that it needs to be clean — Energy in Common is a New York-based nonprofit dedicated to facilitating microloans to bring green energy to people in need.
- The Top 5 Most Ignored Humanitarian Crises | UN Dispatch
The sluggish international response to the Pakistan floods emergency is actually not all that sluggish, at least compared to these humanitarian crises. Introducing the five most under-funded and ignored humanitarian crises:
- Learn more about the Millennium Development Goals
Established 10 years ago in September 2000, the eight MDGs are an audacious set of goals for changing the world — with an equally audacious target of 2015 to reach them all. The UN has been tracking progress on the MDGs since 2000, watching as the economic slowdown pushed some goals back (like expanding access to education), while other goals inch forward (like increasing access to antenatal care). But throughout the list, much work remains to be done. You can find out more about each goal below; follow the links to reach the data-packed MDG Monitor mini-site for each goal, with stats, maps and individual success stories:
- China reviews law on death penalty
China considers dropping use of capital punishment for 13 economic crimes.
- Hundreds of Roma Expelled from France: Humane Deportation or Xenophobic Slum Clearing?
The French government vehemently defends their deportation campaign, saying it is “safe and humane” – claiming that sending in armed police at six in the morning, pulling mothers out of their homes and threatening to take their children is actually in the Roma’s best interest.
- Is Obama Failing on AIDS?
President Obama is coming in for a very public flogging over a perceived lack of action on the global AIDS pandemic. Is it deserved?
- Fellows Friday with Sunita Nadhamuni
Water and sanitation are among the most crucial issues facing India today, Sunita Nadhamuni notes in her interview with TED. But while these problems are daunting, Sunita says India’s many innovations in managing water can teach the rest of the world a thing or two.
School and Food for the Orphans
By Rob Harvey in Articles
Orphan Care. There are an estimated 147 million orphans, defined as a child who has lost one or both parents. 13 million of those have lost both parents and 95% of all orphans are over the age of 5. The rebuilding of communities and sustainable poverty alleviation can never be accomplished if we fail to care for the worlds children who are poor and orphaned. There are many wonderful organizations that provide clothing, shelter, food, schooling, community development, hygiene necessities and much more to these children.
In July, Affero members selected Lifesong for Orphans to receive the month’s giving. Lifesong helps to “bring joy & purpose to orphans” …helping to replace ashes with beauty, give joy where there is mourning, and instill hope where there is despair. I thank God for Lifesong and how they turn adversity and struggle into strength and victory! That’s really what they are about – helping to turn despair into strength, joy and victorious living! A “Lifesong” for the children, if you will…
Lifesong for Orphans works to break cycles of hopelessness in orphans lives by creating in-country solutions for approximately 2000+ orphans in Ukraine, Zambia, Ethiopia, Liberia, India, and Honduras through in-country adoption/foster care, transition homes, job-skill training, and mentors.
Now is the time to bring joy and purpose to the orphans in our world. In Zambia the orphan crisis is great, with an estimate of over 1,000,000 orphans (8-10% of the population). Some other stunning realities:
1 out of every 5 individuals is HIV+
The average life expectancy is 30.5 yrs
Only 10% of all children attend school regularly
25,000 children worldwide die everyday of malnutrition
A hungry orphan or vulnerable child is not able to concentrate in the classroom and has a difficult time learning.
Lifesong began school and feeding programs in Zambia for 175 orphans & vulnerable children to help solve this problem. They provide an education –adding one grade each year, and providing 2 meals each day (breakfast & lunch) For breakfast each receives fafa, a porridge-like food that provides the nutrients that each growing child needs. The lunch menu rotates through a cycle of fish soup, beans, eggs, nshima, vegetables, etc.
In Kitwe, Zambia the Lifesong school is the only school in the community providing 2 meals a day. Your votes in July helped Affero towards it’s goal to support 150 orphans, ages 3 – 17, for 1 year.
As I shared in a previous post, there are 3 billion people living on less than $2 a day. 840 million people do not have enough to eat. That’s a lot of hungry people. As a member of The Affero Project, you are a member of a global tribe working against poverty and injustice. We each give a little and and mobilize these resources to worthwhile causes like Lifesong feeding the orphan and raising up leaders with love and a basic education. Thank you for giving and for sharing posts like this one. Remember to invite your friends to join the movement. Together, we are the change we want to see in the world. We are making a very real difference in the lives of orphans in Zambia and around the world.
And the winner is…
By Peter Rees in News
And the winner of the coolest facebook status is Jack Armstrong!
Jack’s facebook status update was: – “I might not be able to give billions away, but I can give something! A little goes a very long way. You don’t need to be a billionaire to make a difference. Sign The 1% Giving Pledge and commit to give at least 1% of your annual income to philanthropic causes. Together we can change the world!”
Well done Jack! You’re the Man! You can choose from one of these three books:
If you haven’t read one of these books, why not purchase one? They are all fantastic books!
Peace,
Pete Rees (The Aussie Affangelist)
Global Justice Links From This Week
By Marc Krejci in News
- Social-Profit Organizations
Nonprofit should be nonexistent — the term, not the type of organization. The time is right to insist on a term that focuses on the investment, risk taking, and entrepreneurial imagination that have always been so essential to organizations that serve the social good. "Social-profit organizations" is a term that can better capture the contribution made by entities that have too long been known as charities or nonprofit groups.
- Sheryl WuDunn on our century’s greatest injustice
Sheryl WuDunn‘s book “Half the Sky” investigates the oppression of women globally. Her stories shock. Only when women in developing countries have equal access to education and economic opportunity will we be using all our human resources.
- Timeline on Lubanga’s ICC Trial Regarding Child Soldiers
The trial of Thomas Lubanga on war crimes charges that include the conscription of children, the first ever to be heard by the International Criminal Court, has been viewed as an important test of the international court’s credibility and effectiveness. Although the trial began in January 2009, Lubanga has been in ICC detention since March 2006. Beset by procedural hiccups, some observers fear the trial has gone on for too long. Others see the setbacks as a sign that justice is in fact being carried out in a court grappling with its first case.
Girls Are Not For Sale
By Rob Harvey in News
Rachel Llyod
Rachel Lloyd is a champion. She is also a survivor of human sex trafficking. As a child she was exploited commercially in the industry, first as a nude model at age 14 and then as a prostitute three years later. After a few years, Rachel left the sex industry and immigrated to the United States to work with incarcerated adult women, and later working to end domestic human trafficking. She began working with adult women who were coming out of prostitution, as well as women incarcerated at Rikers Island and county correctional facilities. She also reached out to women working the streets on Hunts Point in the Bronx. She now runs Girls Educational & Mentoring Services which empowers young women, ages 12-21, exit the sex industry.
Very Young Girls is an exposé of the commercial sexual exploitation of girls in New York City as they are sold on the streets by pimps, and treated as adult criminals by police. The film follows barely-adolescent girls in real time, using vérité and intimate interviews with them, documenting their struggles and triumphs as they seek to exit the commercial sex industry. The film also uses startling footage shot by pimps themselves, giving a rare glimpse into how the cycle of exploitation begins for many women. Very Young Girls will change the way law enforcement, the media, and society as a whole look at sexual exploitation, street prostitution and human trafficking that is happening right in our own backyard.
CraigsList Prostitution Sting Shows Illegal Sex Trade Still Rampant. A year after investigating prostitution via Craigslist, MSNBC has gone undercover to once again probe the illegal sex trade on Craigslist and see what the site has done to “clean up its act” since last May. The report found that prostitution on Craigslist was still prominent, even after the site had promised to crack down.
MSNBC’s Jeff Rossen rented a hotel room in New York City, then contacted individuals who had posted ads on Craigslist’s “Adult Services” section. Once the escort arrived at the hotel, “within seconds, it was clear this was all about sex,” Rossen reports. Connecticut attorney general Richard Blumenthal compares the sex trade on Craigslist to “an online red light district” that’s “as obvious and plain to you as Times Square was in the 70s or 80s.”
The New York Times has a story estimating Craigslist’s sex-related revenue to be around $36 million dollars, or something close to a third of its estimated $100+ million in revenues. Many ads are are related to prostitution, and some to underage prostitution. So obviously Craigslist is being investigated yet again over this revenue. The fact that the company is fiercely private about its revenues and organization doesn’t make the picture any easier.
We believe the end of modern day slavery will come from individuals who gather together to push on businesses, media, and governments to support their existing values for human rights. We believe that this is a bottom-up movement that needs dynamic information, sustained inspiration, and most importantly, tactile activation. Will you join the movement?
CALL+RESPONSE produced documentary film that reveals the world’s 27 million dirtiest secrets: there are more slaves today than ever before in human history. CALL+RESPONSE goes deep undercover where slavery is thriving from the child brothels of Cambodia to the slave brick kilns of rural India to reveal that in 2009, Slave Traders made more money than Google, Nike and Starbucks combined.
There is a sea of change happening in human rights activism. The world’s issues cannot be solved alone by governments and non-profits, but require community-based participation. As a feature film, CALL+RESPONSE serves as a deft tool in the hands of 21st Century Abolitionists. We believe this is a fight that must that is won with passion, innovation, and commitment. What’s your response going to be?
A trip to Mexico and beyond
By Steven McLaughlin in News
A few years ago I had the opportunity to work alongside a friend on a farm in southern Mexico. I never imagined myself as a farmer but my friend had been living in Mexico for almost a year and I really wanted to visit him. It was spring break and I had the means to go, so I went.
While I was there I learned an overwhelming amount of information about agriculture, ecology, Mexican culture, and the Spanish language. Turns out the language of a culture is something that is incredibly beneficial to have a firm grasp on before diving into said culture
Looking back now I can see how my whole experience would have been much smoother if I had known the language. For instance we had the opportunity on one of the days I was there to drive to a city up north to partake in a celebration and feast. Eventually we needed to stop for gas, my friend got out to pump as the others we were travelling with stayed in the van while I volunteered to go inside and purchase some water. It wasn’t until I got to the counter that I realized “oh yeah, I don’t speak any Spanish” I offered several forms of payment, none of which seemed to satisfy the increasingly irritated woman behind the counter. Eventually I gave up and left on the counter a guess at what I thought would equal the amount of money I owed, hoping that it would satisfy the attendant and hoping I could put this embarrassing experience behind me. When we got on the road again the guys asked for change from the money they had given me, of which I had none. Turned out I had put the equivalent of around 18 bucks on the counter for 2 bottles of water. I was not allowed to go into gas stations for the duration of the trip.
Another thing I learned about while I was there was the story of Dr. Paul Farmer. By the time I had gotten there I think my friend had read and re-read Tracy Kidder’s book “Mountains Beyond Mountains” a few dozen times. If you haven’t had the chance to read this book I highly suggest going to the library or dropping the deserved 12 dollars on it on Amazon. If you have read it you know just how much the ideas in the book get under your skin.
Paul Farmer is an inspiration to many in his research and innovations in getting medicine to the sick. The book itself traces how Paul Farmer became the infamous Dr. Paul Farmer, but the overlying story of how difficult it is to get medicine to the sick in many areas of the world is what really shocked me.
In Haiti, for example (where Farmer’s work is anchored) behind HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis is the country’s greatest infectious cause of mortality in both youth and adults. While we’ve managed to control TB and to some extent AIDS/HIV in the States through rigorous hospital standards, testing, media campaigns encouraging proactive solutions and advances in medications, these diseases still rip through a nation that is about 1600 miles away. That’s just less than 1000 more miles away from where I currently am to Los Angeles. So the big question is why can we not help rid this nation (as well as assist other nations) of these diseases if we have managed to control them in some manner here.
Of course there are a hundred different reasons why, most of them involving governments and bureaucratic red tape, but I think another reason is that many have either become jaded to the idea of illnesses ravishing whole nations or we have become so secluded and naïve that we have forgotten that we have the ability to help our neighbors around the world out.
When I think back to the van ride we took in Mexico, the one where we all spoke English which lead to me forgetting where I was in the world and forgetting the thick language barrier that stood between myself and a couple bottles of water, I can’t help but be embarrassed at how naïve I was. My hope is that I don’t look back years from now with the same degree of guilt and embarrassment when it comes to knowing more about HIV/AIDS, TB and other illnesses in this world. I hope we can all look back and remember when we got together, were bold and empowered, and decided to do something about it.
Peace,
Steve
Be the winner of a book for the coolest facebook status update.
By Peter Rees in News
CLICK HERE TO ENTER COMPETITION
It’s easy to enter the global action comp. All you have to do is click the share button on the right side and optionally share a thought, quote, or anything else about global action, extreme poverty etc.
This is an opportunity to let your voice be heard! Then click above and enter your name and status update and you could be the winner of one of these books.
Need some ideas? We have had some awesome status updates today. Here are a few :-
- Changing the world is easy! Read books…. Affero is giving them away
- This guy is my new hero!
- Ed Stafford walks length of Amazon river
- A new comic tells seven stories about human trafficking based on real testimonies from survivors.
- Are you a true world changer? Check out the link to see …
- Bill Gates Convinces 40 Billionaires to Give Away Half Their Fortunes Our favorite charity-worker Bill Gates has successfully signed up 38 billionaires to give away half of their wealth to those less fortunate, in what could be the largest-scale philanthropic work ever.
Be as simple or creative as you want.
Cheers,
Pete Rees