A Glimmer of Hope -- A Game Changing Strategy

Have you noticed the growing number of creative non-profits changing the face of how we go about helping the poor? As a generation X-er, I am thrilled! In the 80s, we saw western money dumped on Africa and not doing much good, because it slapped band-aides on the deeper problems. I'm ecstatic to see creative thinkers like Philip and Donna Berber think outside the box. The Berbers founded A Glimmer of Hope, and they're showing us a peek into how a game changing strategy can change lives in Ethiopia for the long haul.

Three weeks ago, I started a new job at Glimmer because of its strategy, it's powerhouse team and its work to lift women and children in Ethiopia out of poverty. As a soon-to-be adoptive mom with a child from Ethiopia -- you can see the attraction. With any non-profit, I want to see where my money goes, and with A Glimmer of Hope that's the best surprise! 100% goes to the project!  The Berbers cover 100% of the non-profit's overhead expenses, so that donors money goes directly to building school rooms, health clinics, water wells and providing micro-finance loans in rural Ethiopia.

Plus, their projects "partner" with the local leaders in rural Ethiopian villages, instead of telling them what to do.  Glimmer's long-term goal to fight poverty in Ethiopia means maintaining the dignity of the people and it's a game changer for the quality of life of women and children.  For example, this year Glimmer will provide clean water to thousands by building 900 water wells in rural Ethiopia. Dirty water is the number one killer of children in the world -- about four million children under five die from just one water-borne disease.  In 2009, Barron's listed Glimmer founders as the 6th most effective givers in the nation, (The Best 25 Givers, Nov.30, 2009).  For adoptive families and donors interested in changes lives in Ethiopia, the Glimmer strategy makes sense when you're looking for the biggest bang for your buck.

Similarly, the ABBA Fund strategy empowers adoptive families to adopt by providing 0% interest loans to adoptive families.  International adoption is expensive, but ABBA's interest-free loans is opening opportunities for all of us. These kinds of inventive funding tools and long term strategies are changing the face of the donor world, and I expect will take off like wild fire.   

While the poor may always be with us, I hope we'll continue to learn to love them better by treating them like people made in the image of God, instead of the faceless masses.  Let hope grow.  Let us love better.