What We Do
Mama Hope seeks out grassroots organizations in the developing world which are fulfilling the needs of their communities with limited resources. After establishing relationships, we advocate and fundraise on their behalf.
Mama Hope studies potential partner grassroots organizations extensively to ensure that they:
- Are locally initiated and directed
- Generate activities approved of and greatly appreciated by the community
- Have the capacity to manage an increased budget and work load
- Can maintain transparent and accurate tracking of expenditures and project accomplishments
- Are financially responsible and honest
- Demonstrate a commitment to lasting positive change, as well as meeting the community's basic needs
- Are unable to reach full potential because they lack funding
When Mama Hope finds a grassroots organization that meets this description, we collaborate to formulate a project proposal that addresses the greatest unmet needs in their community and offers the possibility of lasting positive change by addressing the root causes of poverty. Essential elements of the proposal include measurable outcomes; a monitoring and evaluation plan; a long-term plan to sustain the project; and a financial reporting plan. When the project proposal is complete, Mama Hope begins to advocate and fundraise.
What is a Grassroots Organization?
Grassroots organizations are community based organizations that seek to fulfill the basic needs of people in poor communities and create lasting positive change by addressing the underlying causes of poverty. They are formed by extraordinary local people who have the necessary compassion, drive, and skills to serve their communities.
Some common activities include:
- Providing food, education, and shelter to orphans
- Educating people about how to improve their nutrition and prevent endemic diseases
- Training women to establish savings and loan groups
Why Do We Support Grassroots Organizations?
Grassroots organizations have many unique and invaluable attributes, including:
- Cost effective programs, because their staffing and overhead costs are very low.
- Local founders and staff, who are trusted and accepted by the communities that they serve.
- Staff members with a detailed knowledge of the local social, political, and economic context in which they operate.
With Increased Support, What Can Grassroots Organizations Achieve?
Many such groups have the capacity to expand and improve their programs, but are impeded by lack of funding. Insufficient funding can mean the difference between simply barely fulfilling basic needs and addressing the root causes of impoverishment. For example, with increased funding these community organizations could:
- Assist more or even all of the local orphans
- Provide more or better quality education, food supplements, and shelter
- Provide AIDS medication to increase the lifespan of people living with the disease
- Provide start-up capital to women's savings and loan groups
- Provide secondary school and university scholarships and loans to high-scoring primary school students, who are then in a position to break the cycle of poverty
- Train both youths and adults in skilled trades in order to provide families with a steady source of income
- Establish health clinics to prevent and treat endemic diseases
- Train farmers in improved techniques to increase yields and ensure long term soil fertility.
Through advocacy and fundraising, Mama Hope enables grassroots organizations to reach their full potential, improve and expand services, and create lasting positive change in the lives of the people they serve.
|
|
