How to Help Hunger in Africa

Africans who learn to farm can gain capital in food.

Hunger and malnutrition are serious and life-threatening issues in developing countries, including several countries in Africa. For decades, aid organizations have provided financing and food to help ease the hunger pains, but recent scholars say that offering non-developmental aid merely increases dependency and thereby does not create a foreseeable end to poverty and hunger. The emergence of micro-loan opportunities offers poverty stricken African entrepreneurs the ability to gain experience in starting a business, create and market a product and build confidence. All of these are important factors that offer a betterment of lifestyle, comfort, and nutritional advancement in communities that otherwise lack the financial ability to develop.

Instructions

Micro-Lending

1. 

   By providing one family with a job, you conquer their hunger.

   Research micro-loan programs. There are several available including the first micro-lending company, Kiva or a company named Microplace that allows you pay from your PayPal account.

2. Find a loan that fits your requirements, demographics and principles. All micro-lending companies will offer a variety of profiles from different areas of the world. This step will require time to read entrepreneur profiles and choose a loan that you can relate to or identify with while ensuring that your finances will reach reliable hands. You may want to fund a family from Nigeria that wants to open a restaurant, or you might want to loan money to a middle-aged man who's ready to start his first taxi company.

3. Determine the amount of your loan. Micro loans typically range from $25-$50 dollars, but you are able to donate larger amounts. You might choose to fund several different loans to help a larger number of entrepreneurs.

4. Check back with the site regularly to observe your chosen entrepreneur's business growth and the repayment of your money. Once your loan is repaid, use those funds to lend to a different budding entrepreneur.

Charitable Donations

1. 

   The act of giving a gift can be as powerful as the act of receiving.

   Research charitable organizations who provide food and financial relief to African countries. There are dozens of charitable groups and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) that provide immediate aid to people who are starving and struggling in developing African countries.

2. Choose the type of gift you desire to give. Some organizations, like GreaterGood, allow you to help fund a young woman's college education in South Africa. Other organizations, like Care, an organization who fights poverty, will accept food, medical supplies, and other materials to help people in need of immediate relief.

3. Send money to the institution of choice, or mail your physical donations to the appropriate address of your chosen charitable organization.

Facebook Causes

1. 

   Join a cause, invite your friends and change the world together.

   Research Facebook Causes. This platform created by Facebook allows members of the social media site to join various causes and donate money through the website.

2. Allow Facebook causes to access your profile information.

3. Join the cause of your choice and donate money through your secure Facebook account.

Fundraising

1. 

   Fundraisers are communal experiences.

   Decide which type of organization you wish to partner with to create a fundraising event. You might choose a religious organization, a school, or a business.

2. Decide what type of fundraiser you wish to create. Religious organizations will often create a bake sale, schools may organize a dance or fair, and businesses will often organize sports events.

3. Contact the organizations and legal authorities necessary to obtain permits and/or insurance for your fundraiser.

4. Promote your fundraiser to raise money for countries or causes in Africa using social media, newspapers and radio advertisements.

5. Find volunteers to help run your fundraiser.

Volunteer!

1. 

   Volunteering offers rewards beyond the goal of reducing African hunger issues.

   Choose an organization you want to volunteer for. This could be one of any of the above types of groups and organizations that promote NGO relief for starving people in Africa.

2. Contact the organization, provide them with a resume, a cover letter and an explanation of the types of volunteer work you are primarily interested in.

3. Make a time commitment and fulfill it. Whether you decide to donate one hour or twenty per week, keep your word and show up.

References

• Hoover Institution Stanford University: Africa with Dambisa Moyo; June 12, 2009
• Kiva: About Kiva
• Business Roundtable: Partnership for Relief

Resources

• GreaterGood.org
• CARE