And as a christian the religious aspect just makes me feel better about donating.

Dave, praise and encouragement to you and those at ZAO. When in Tanzania I also visited villages helped by LWR well projects and met many people, primarily women and children, who walked miles each day for clean water. It was the thing I felt most blessed to have upon returning home. Another benefit of having readily available water in these villages is that these marginalized women can spend their time on things more productive than hauling water.

As an advocate and a voice for those I met in Africa, I try to use their words as much as possible. When speaking to Mr. Philip Tesha, a former President of the Killimanjaro Native Cooperative Union (a small coffee farmer cooperative on the slopes of Mt. Killimanjaro) I asked him what he wanted me to tell you. He replied, “Tell them to pay more for their coffee”, which didn’t surprise me, but he continued by saying “because if they knew we were suffering, they would pay more. If they only knew we were suffering…people would surely buy our coffee”.

Mariner fans, I have never seen such faith in mankind as I did in Mr. Tesha’s eyes at that moment, and it is a moment I will never forget. I wish I had the same level of faith that he does that the solution is that easy. That the simple act of me telling you they are in need would prompt you to make a small change in your behavior to benefit them. As is evident from the dialog you are having, we are more skeptical than that. All I can do is to tell you that he believes in you, and to leave you with his words. I hope you hear his words …if you only knew we were suffering, surely, you would help us…every time you take a drink of water or coffee and that it causes you to think more about others in the world than yourself.

I do not consider myself an activist, I am actually a business woman for a fortune 30 corporation, but as such I recognize the power we wield as consumers in the choices we make every day. Whether, as I, you are inspired by the grace of God through His Son Jesus Christ…or whether you are inspired by other persuasions in your life…I hope you can agree that we should not prosper at the expense of those who are weak and oppressed. Our need for inexpensive consumables should not come at the expense of the poorest among us, irrespective of our faith.

Supporting reputable, professional humanitarian efforts such as ZAO water, Equal Exchange, or other terrific companies is an easy way to make a big difference.
Thanks for listening.

PS – In the area of Tanzania I visited 45% of the population was Lutheran and 45% was Catholic. The largest growing Lutheran church in the world is in Tanzania with 3.9 million members. Those I met thought we in the US needed Jesus and, like many others, see it as the largest mission field in the world. We should all be cognizant of who “they” are and what “they” need.

I’m currently studying at the Yale School of Forestry and Environmental Studies, focusing on water resource management in developing countries. There are several students in my program who are very interested in this issue, and we’re always looking to bring speakers here to share their experiences. I’m sure there would also be interest from the School of Management in hearing about tying a retail business to a non-profit organization. Is there any chance that your friend might be anywhere near New Haven in the next year or two and would be willing to give a short talk on our campus? We have a limited amount of money available to cover transportation, if he happened to be passing through Boston or New York.

With regards to for-profits, the intent is known. For non-profits, the intent may not be so evident.

I’m generally not that concerned with intent. I worry more about outcomes. If the guy trying to earn a profit does more good than the guy who’s just trying to do good, then I favour the profiteer.

You should also view statements made by non-profit companies with skepticism.

Right you are and I do view all things with a healthy dose of curiosity as to intent, ability and efficency.

From what I know of LWR, they are amongst the best of charitable organizations at utilizing their very limited resources. What I also like about LWR is that they are not about giving away stuff. When my wife went to Tanzinia they were very stridently warned to not give anything to anyone they encountered. They were not give away so much as a piece of candy to a child. LWR works very hard at helping to raise the community rather the a person. They loan tools and money, they provide instuction and support. They don’t give anything away without a corresponding action from those they are assisting.

One of the things about Fair Trade products that I find most intriguing is that the intent is to help the community by increasing the sale price to the farmer so that the farmer can buy local products he needs to farm and to hire help to produce more. By doing so the farmer is automaticaly raising the standard of living in his community by increasing the funds available. More people working and more people buying is the way to lift a community out of poverty.

Charity is what we call it when I give dollars to LWR. What LWR does is not so much charity but providing help and knowledge so that the communities they reach out to can learn to make it on their own.