We again partnered with Tabitha to help get 10 families off the streets and into new homes through the culmination of a micro-savings program.

This has to be one of the most joyous scenes…witnessing the joy that comes from simple efforts to improve quality of life. Here’s one of the families ‘ children piled on the steps of their new home:

Margret, the ‘Team Mother‘, ready to carry out treatment at the medical table for those who may hammer and/or cut themselves while building:

A previous volunteer said: “All of us were changed by the profound exchange of love and service: we had given them new houses to live in, they had given us a new way to understand living.” So true! We come with open eyes and ears to learn and absorb the lessons our friends in the global village have to teach us. Here is one of the gracious, hard-working families who received a new home:

Young Cambodian girl greeting our team of 15 volunteers:

Teamwork:

Mother/Daughter teamwork:

Villagers ready to move in to their new homes:

Our team was also able to spend some quality time at CICFO. CICFO is a children’s home in Phnom Penh that we (Global Outreach Alliance) work to support. They are a remarkable organization ran by two wonderful, miracle-working volunteer Khmer “mothers.” This children’s home, which cares for 31 children, is unlike any orphanage we have seen before. We do not always support orphanages as their model simply creates “orphans” and dependency on donor dollars–then, the cycle continues–more and more orphans pile in and more donor dollars come to support its viscous cycle of “feeding” children. Consequently, transparency suffers, and well-intended people soon are funding institutions that pocket money and neglect children’s pressing needs for long-term, sustainable development and education. However, CICFO is different. They have self-reliant enterprise projects (e.g. chicken coup, organic mushroom farm, hand-made bracelets and greeting cards, and a fruit tree garden), all of which helps lighten the load of donors and allows them to educate their children about future possibilities for generating income and self reliance. They focus on education and teaching skills all while preserving their beautiful culture. They even work to get the children back to their families or in responsible families’ homes (which is unheard of with most orphanages). They are not the typical “institutionalized orphanage.” They create a wonderful home for these children all on a shoestring budget of $1.85 per each child, per day. That is remarkable considering that it includes everything to take care of the children (i.e. rent, utilities, medicine/checkups, nutritious meals, clean water, education and private tutoring, school uniforms/books, transportation to/from school and activities, etc.). Many orphanages we have seen conversely rip your heart out and then stomp on it because they are mismanaged and solicit additional donor dollars by purposely downgrading the level of poverty–they keep the facilities dirty and unsanitary, they don’t feed or clothe the children adequately, they don’t educate, etc–all because if things were better looking, then they could possibly lose funding. In orphanages, double dealing and corruption often runs rampant–not to mention the most mind-blowing disease of all–sex and labor exploitation of precious children. It sickens us! But not here at CICFO. It’s a home. It’s a family. It is a wonderful breath of fresh air! It truly is a small heaven on earth:

………………………………………………………………………………….

Consider joining us on our next expedition to Cambodia. 

1. Nearly 1 billion people suffer needlessly without access to safe water
2. Women spend 200 million hours a day collecting water
3. Every 20 seconds, a child dies from a water-related illness
4. The majority of illness is caused by fecal matter
5. More people have a mobile cell phone than a toilet

If you’re reading this post, you likely drink clean, treated water from here:

But if you’re in rural Cambodia, you’re likely to get your water from polluted open rivers or shallow ponds like this:

or this…

or even this….

The purpose of this post is to remind us to be grateful. Then, to act on our gratitude by promoting good in the life of another. 

Moreover, this post isn’t meant to be degrading . It is my hope to provide a lens to understand areas where we should be astronomically grateful, and areas where we can consider giving back. The good people of the developing world are industrious, resourceful, hard working and very smart. They have opened my eyes and taught me a better way to live.There are, however, challenges the developing world faces that we cannot even fully understand. Please, do not for a moment think that it is because they are individuals who are lacking in any way–NO! Rather it is a matter of resources, lopsided distribution of wealth, inability to access capital, social injustice, absence of educational or enterprise opportunities, or corrupt, mismanaged government policies–these are what cripple and harm the global village.

If this post moved you at all, please consider donating to Global Outreach Alliance. We are a 501(c)3 non-profit, public charity. Every penny of your direct donations to our project fund actually goes towards our projects (makes sense, right?)–not to administration or fundraising costs (learn more here). We have developed grassroots projects in rural communities around the globe; or, because we don’t want to reinvent the wheel, in some areas have formed strategic partnerships with local development agencies who have proven track records for producing tangible results.  We empower communities by promoting self-reliance through education, mentoring and sustainable development solutions.

In many of the areas we work, we are in desperate need of funds to finance wells or rain water harvesting systems.  Wells produce clean, pure drinking water. They also can help triple rice or corn yields by bringing water to crops in dry seasons. Extra, added harvests means income. Income means access to opportunities like education. Education means…well, you get it. It’s an empowerment process.

Join us!

My heart sank, yet at the same time I felt a renewed passion and sense of purpose for our philanthropic work. This is why we dedicate ourselves to this cause of creating self-sustaining growth. Because there are less fortunate people that share the same hopes that we have, hopes of a better future, warm meals, and stable homes to return to and if we can help make a difference, why not? We can continue to keep their hope alive that someone is extending a hand and enjoying their presence in the world. We may not be able to change the whole world, but we can make a change in one person’s world, one family’s or one community; all just by making small changes to our lives and even giving a bit of our time.

“I alone cannot change the world, but I can cast a stone across the waters to create many ripples.” – Mother Teresa

In May 2011 I traveled on my first expedition with GOA. We were visiting Western Kenya where our team was working with local leaders to find community building opportunities. As we discussed various topics, a man named Robert told us about some caves near his home that he wanted to show us. He said they’d been there for thousands of years and had markings on the walls. Of course we were fascinated, but it would be dark soon, so we decided to postpone our explorations to the following Sunday.

I anticipated this adventure for three wonderful days of visiting, teaching, learning, dancing, and singing with hundreds of school children. The big day finally arrived, and since it was our last Sunday in Kenya, we wanted to visit some church services before heading to the caves. I wore my long white skirt and white tennis shoes, that way I was appropriately dressed for both worshipping and hiking.

At the conclusion of the meetings, we said goodbye to our church friends and hired a driver to take the six of us 45 minutes over dirt roads that were un-passable, in my opinion, since they had been washed out by rain. I was fascinated by the driver’s determination to get us to our destination.

When he took us as far as we dared go, we walked the remaining few miles to where we planned to meet Robert. As we walked along the red dirt road, I paused from time to time to admire the landscape of rolling green hills sprinkled with little grass huts, contrasted against the stunning palm tree-swept sky was breathtaking.

Often we passed clusters of children standing in the tall grass watching us with curiosity. They were usually shy at first, but when we pulled out our cameras, they boldly approached us and waited as we captured their beauty.  We continued walking, collecting followers from each group we passed.

We finally reached Robert’s 10-acre property where he told us his ancestors had lived since the stone-age. I felt as though I was standing on holy ground. While we waited for more explorers to join us, Robert showed us his modest mud home and garden.

“Do you want to see ground-nuts?” he asked. He found a stick and dug at the base of a plant that stood about knee-high. He then reached into the soil and pulled out a peanut. I laughed that I had to go all the way to Africa to learn that peanuts grow on roots, not branches.

“You cannot eat them now,” he explained. “… after we roast them in a pan on the fire. Very delicious.” He showed us other types of colorful beans that he grew, as well.

When we finally reached the caves I discovered they were actually overhangs beneath clusters of gigantic boulders. We climbed inside and could tell that people had built fires and lived there from time to time. But I was more fascinated watching the small children climb to the tops of the huge rocks. Some were over 20 feet high.

It was one such rock that two of the men in our group decided to climb. Robert went first to show the way and they all agreed that barefoot was best. Steve and Brent made the climb appear as effortless as Robert did.

The rest of our group stood watching from below.

I regretted wearing my long, now off-white skirt as I too wanted to give the boulder a try. Some of the men discouraged it, and the women stared in disbelief.

“How hard can it be?” I thought. I grew up in Wyoming climbing sandstone structures similar to this. Sure, that was thirty years ago, but I decided to try, anyway.

I tied the front of my skirt to the back between my legs and removed my shoes and socks. I knew that once I got momentum, I had to keep going because if I stopped, I would certainly slide back down, scraping the skin clean off my arms, legs, and body since the boulder offered no protrusions for support.

I lost my grip only once toward the top, which set my heart racing, but I recovered and scurried to safety. Once there, I turned to my eager audience below and gave a muscle-man pose. They cheered in a show of obvious relief.

The risk was worth it. A light breeze cooled us from the hot, African sun, and the view was stunning. We could see miles of green rolling hills, grass huts and palm treeing in every direction. We soaked in the moment for as long as we could and snapped a few pictures.

Then it was time to climb down. Robert went first, then Steve. He said it was easier than climbing up. Brent followed some children down the backside, but that direction looked even more dangerous.

“I can do this,” I said softly.

“Sit down and crab-walk. Lean back against your arms for support,” Steve coached, seeing my hesitation.

I started down feet first and immediately my foot slipped. I lost all confidence and scrambled back to safety. Most my strength comes from my legs, but there was nothing to support my feet. I took another look at Brent’s route and lost hope. Everyone below looked as worried as I was.

Visions of sleeping at the top of the boulder swirled through my mind. The only other option I could imagine was a helicopter flying in to rescue me, but that was unlikely. I could be there for days.

Finally, Robert climbed back up and placed his hand beside my foot and told me to step on it. I wasn’t sure that would help and I was afraid my weight would crush him, but I did it anyway. As soon as my foot touched his hand, my fears melted and I knew I would be alright. He put his other hand against the rock and told me to step on it with my other foot. We alternated hand and foot as I crab-walked to the bottom.

When a person risks his life to help you, trust him. Your reward will be worth more than life. You will have an eternal friend.

Everyone cheered when I arrived safely on the ground.

“I love this man!” I declared and kissed his beautiful hands.

I learned then, more than ever, that we need each other. When we get ourselves in situations that we cannot solve on our own, there is always someone who can help us navigate to safety. And when a person risks his life to help you, trust him. Your reward will be worth more than life. You will have an eternal friend.

Q: What was your favorite part about Kenya?

A: Though I’d like to say it was holding the hands of ten children at once, watching women roll
beads from strips of old magazine paper, dancing to the beat of an African drum for two miles
along dusty roads, watching a cheetah hunt and an elephant bathe, eating sugar cane freshly
picked from the fields, riding on the back of a motorcycle through a glade of eucalyptus trees,
singing hokey-pokey at the top of my lungs, washing with a bucket, eating chapatti, or falling
asleep to the sweet sounds of the children’s choir hymns all hours of the night, there’s one thing
beyond it all that cannot escape me. Burned forever in my heart are the smiles.

Some say that happiness is the source of a smile. Others believe the smile the source of
happiness. It’s a chicken and egg phenomenon and regardless of its origin is inclusive of one
very important thing: joy. Though the walk to school is often five miles long and the chance of
rain a fairytale, the opportunity to attend school costly and the likelihood of graduating college
rare, the probability you’ll contract AIDS or malaria high and the chance you’ll be treated low, the
reality of hunger felt when you miss your only meal each day because you had to stay home and
work instead of going to school where you’re served a small cup of porridge, the ability to read
only known by some and the ability to write your own name known by fewer, there is one thing
that you can count on: the happiness felt from the smile of another.

We may not be able to give the $10,000 it costs to build a new school nor the $250 per student
it costs to attend high school each year, give rain nor fertile land, cure AIDS nor prevent
mosquitoes from spreading malaria, serve three full meals a day to the 925 million hungry nor
teach all of the illiterate world to read. What we can do instead is share. Share the joy of laughter,
the love of unity and the serenity of a smile.

I went to Kenya expecting to teach, and instead I was taught. My dear friends Moses from
Uganda, Moses of Kenya and Brother Jastus Suchi not only inspire me to be a better, kinder
person, but they motivate me to be a happier, more compassionate person. In their smiles are the
hope of their communities, the strength of their souls to carry on helping others, the wisdom to
know how, the humility to do so without gain, and the compassion to cultivate love and joy among
those whose path they cross along the way.

Though our friends may be many thousands of miles away, “The shortest distance between to
people is a smile.” – African proverb

Smile on everyone, smile on.

-Author: Erin Grieve, GOA Team Leader

What if, instead of making goals on how we were to improve ourselves this year, we instead focused on goals where we can prepare to help other people. Some may say that there is no difference, but I believe that we can make a difference as we build others around us rather than focus on ourselves. Consider a quote from Charles de Montesquieu

“To become truly great, one has to stand with people, not above them.”

We need more people in this world who focus on others in order to raise themselves rather than pushing others down, trying to raise themselves. This is what we are building with Global Outreach Alliance. Each volunteer has bought into this. We invite you to do the same! See how you can contribute and join us so that we can make 2012 the best year yet in each of our lives!

“Those who loved you and were helped by you will remember you.  So carve your name on hearts and not on marble.” – C. H. Spurgeon

Being that we are a public-charity organization (as classified by the IRS), we as a board of directors have decided to remove “Foundation” from our name and add “Alliance.” From here on out, we will be known as Global OutREACH Alliance (GOA). An “alliance” is a friendship and partnership between two or more parties, made in order to advance common goals and interests. This definition alligns well with our mission as we work on a global scale to build lasting partnerships with our local friends to bolster community togetherness and sustainable development results.

We look forward to the new year as we continue to join with the global village to advance common goals and build meaningful relationships to bolster responsible community development. Please join with us, Global OutREACH Alliance, as we “empower communities.”  To get involved today, please click here.

Wishing you a happy and prosperous new year!

Sincerely,

Let me take you back in time, just a day before, to the public library. One of my favorite roles with the Global Outreach Foundation is sharing the stories of the resilient and beautiful people I am working with from these third world countries. I was asked to give a presentation on what life is like to grow up in Kenya and Uganda to a group of bright eyed, eager to learn children at my public library in Bemidji, MN. My goal for this presentation was to inspire the children who attended to know that even though they are small, they can do great things for their community and for communities abroad. The children gathered around, and I shared stories about the lives of the children I am working with in Africa. I try to paint a realistic yet inspiring picture of life in a third world country. I showed pictures of children smiling, despite incredible and unspeakable poverty, illness, and hunger. I told the story of the little boy I met in Kenya, who cannot attend school because he has to stay home and take care of his younger siblings. I talked about how he and the siblings carry the youngest baby everywhere, and how their mom, who is a widow, has to go to work for 12 hours a day or they will starve. The American children sat silently when I told them that the oldest boy is 8.

The next evening I was sitting at the computer with my closest friend, and I was showing her the pictures of the children I have decided to help in Uganda. You see, I run an orphan sponsorship program in Kenya, which I started after visiting the orphans last fall. After seeing the drastic difference between the services available in America for orphaned and impoverished children, and the incredible lack of assistance in Africa for the same children, I was compelled to do something. The Do Something project was born, and since November of last year I have worked daily to help the orphans and widows I met while in Kenya. I recently received information on another orphan project in Uganda, and after getting to know the local coordinator and seeing the pictures of the children, I knew I could not turn away.

This particular night I was feeling overwhelmed because I knew that the orphan children would be running out of food in a matter of weeks, and I felt completely determined not to let this happen. I sat with my friend at the computer, looking at the pictures, shedding tears for the incredible poverty and the overwhelming needs. I turned to my friend and said, “I feel so overwhelmed, how am I going to raise the money to feed these children, if even just enough for another week?”. My friend comforted me, and told me that God will make a way. A moment later, the door bell rang.

I opened the door to see an angel standing before me, her hands outstretched with a box. She smiled at me and told me that she was at my presentation the day before and she did something about it. She and her friend, along with the help of her mom, set up a car wash the very next day. They raised $53, enough to pay for 530 meals for the orphans. Yes, you are reading correctly. The program in Uganda has found a way to feed a meal a day to 180 orphans for just about $100 a week. These little girls made enough to feed 180 orphans for half of a week. Amazing.

As I stood there, I was so overwhelmed by gratitude and relief. I grabbed my camera and took a picture of my “Angel”, and as I shed more tears, I hugged her and thanked her for her selfless decision to do something.

My challenge to you? Do something. Do anything. Start in your own backyard, with a neighbor or a friend. Ready to expand your horizons? Find something you are passionate about and invest your time, talents, or money into something outside of yourself. If we all took time to invest in the well being of others, there would not be as much pain and need in our world. Even the smallest of efforts are better than no effort at all. What will you do to make our world a better place? How will this little girl inspire you?

FOOD FOR THOUGHT:

The consequences of life valuation methodologies have left more than half of the world in poverty. Not poverty in the U.S. sense of the word; where anyone making less than half of median income ($21,500 a year) is considered poor. I’m talking about poverty in an absolute sense – where people struggle to survive on under $2 a day. Always hungry – this sizable portion of humanity ekes out existence by finding one meal at a time and selling their labor. Anyone who only has their labor to sell is forever trapped – incapable of saving or accumulating capital. This phenomenon, often characterized as the poverty trap, is a daily reality for the vast majority of the globe. Does it have to be? No! In order for this to change in a sizeable fashion – we need to first start valuing life equal. While this may seem too simplistic to make a difference – it may be all that is required. How can we do this? Stay tuned next month….

-Wade C. Roberts, Ph.D.
Director of Research, Global Outreach Foundation
Professor at University of Utah & Westminster College

I received a report today – it’s from one of my managers and a family she works with. People are always asking me how this all works. This report tells how it works but it’s in their words – not mine. The English is not terrific and the grammar not the best but I do believe that they express themselves better than I ever could. Let me share this with you.

“At Choung Tieng Village, Tebthi Commune, Kors Kralor Distrcit, Battambang Province, there are many poor people who live there. They are living in miserable conditions. Most families have a lot of children so they have high responsibility in their family. They meet many problems because of hard to find money and earn less than spending.

I am Meurn Teurm and my wife is Paeth Ry. I live in Choung Tieng Village. I have 7 children; there are 4 boys and 3 girls. I am a farmer and my wife is seller of Khmer noodles at home. It is very difficult to support a big family but we still try hard to work more and more – but my food is not enough because we are a lot of children. Before, my house is very small. Fortunately, there is an organization called Tabitha Cambodia who come into my village. The population here was very happy, including my family also.

Tabitha Cambodia taught the villagers to know how to save money. I had to join saving money with Tabitha too. In one week, I putted money 3000 riels until 11 weeks pass by to get 10% interest. Every eleven weeks, I got enough money from Tabitha to buy things like:

Small House – 7 children

First ducks and chickens

Second a pig

Third a sewing machine

Fourth Water storage jars

Fifth Table and chairs

Sixth Tabitha team built us a house, Seventh bought bricks to connect new house

Finally Tabitha Cambodia helped people to build house and also my family. I had contribution 100,000 riel to Tabitha for the house ($25.00 US dollars). Now I still continue saving money. All the people in my village and my family are living here with pleasure. I joy and gratitude to Tabitha Cambodia so much.”

I love the expression “all of us are living here with pleasure”. I thank my God for the pleasure He gives my staff and myself for the privilege of working alongside these families. I am humbled and thankful for all of you who enable this to happen. May you all also live with pleasure.