Great Article About the 7 Worst International Aid Ideas

A recurring theme on this blog is that making a difference is a learned, developed skill that has a significant cost few are willing to pay.  That does not keep  them, however, from jumping into trying.  Sadly, the result is that so much philanthropic support is wasted supporting ineffective, deluded and sophomoric efforts.  This is a great article about how international aids efforts to develop countries are often effected by individuals and organizations who are themselves underdeveloped in their understanding, wisdom and skills with ridiculous results. 

Click on this link to read the article and then tell me what you think.  Do you agree?  Do you have other bad examples?  Do you have some good ones?

http://matadornetwork.com/change/7-worst-international-aid-ideas/#EiAG8dQ5H6fRKR1t.99

How Does a Person, Organization or Philanthropist Learn to Make a Difference?

If I am able to ever still myself, to quiet my heart and to ask what I most desire, one answer comes through clearly:   I want to make a difference in the lives of other people.  I want to help people who are hurting.

I am not alone.  Today “making a difference” would be the answer for millions of people if they were to ask themselves their own deepest desire.

Human beings want their lives to count.  Healthy humans want to help other humans.

It doesn’t stop there.

Boy With a Ball Global’s Objectives for 2013

Boy With a Ball Global’s mission statement clearly states that we work “to better cities around the world by reaching young people and equipping them to be leaders capable of transforming their own communities.”  We also know that we accomplish this mission through:

• creating and implementing innovative methodologies,
• founding, equipping and supporting local youth, family and community development organizations,
• weaving international communities of practice and by
• advocating for the dissemination of best practices in youth development.

These things do not change although they are continuously sharpened and clarified.

Every year, at the beginning of each year, our executive staff begins to define a list of objectives for the year that we then submit to our board of directors so that we can perfect this list and then vote it in.  At the same time, our staff also proposes a financial budget of what we think it will cost financially to accomplish these objectives.  The idea with the objectives is to set out meaningful, attainable goals for each year that clearly set out the best way we can accomplish our overall mission in the twelve months that follow.