How NOT to Give Money to Charities Working in Africa
12Thousands of well-meaning people around the world give regularly to charities or want to donate or get involved in some way but are unsure of the best way to go about it. Many of these people lack knowledge of the real issues on the ground affecting ordinary Africans. Their motivation to donate money might be based on guilt or pity or misconceptions about Africa that are fuelled by negative images and misleading stories relayed by the media, or they are unaware of alternative, more hands-on strategies to donate and help that can sometimes give better, more tangible results and are ultimately more satisfying for all concerned.
So here are 15 points worth considering that I hope will help potential donors understand their own motivation and tips on possible donation strategies.
1. Do not fall into the trap of thinking that Africa is all about poverty. It is extremely rich in resources both human and natural.
2. Do not watch TV images of Africa and feel only pity: starvation, war, HIV-AIDS etc…
3. Do not give money to Africa in an attempt to make yourself feel good
4. Do not give money to Africa because you feel guilty about colonialism
5. Do not forget that governments are often incompetent and corrupt. The intended recipients of aid are not at fault
6. Do not forget that there are 53 countries in Africa where your money can make a significant difference.
7. Do some research on your chosen charity before committing yourself to a donation, or support.
8. Do not write a cheque or set up a direct debit before asking for proof of how the money will be spent. Not all charities are accountable
9. Donate to just one or two preferred and registered charities; this will make you more focused and make it easier to monitor the results
10. Do not assume that you cannot visit an NGO – either in their offices or on the ground: it’s your money after all
11. Why not consider a visit to Africa to see for yourself and make friends before donating?
12. Do not think that you cannot find individuals, philanthropists and volunteers that are already active on the ground and liaise with them.
13. Do not forget to consider empowering a local individual. Invest time in teaching and learning with that person so he can pass the knowledge on to others in the community
14. Target charities with a sharp focus on a particular area: health, new technologies, empowerment, education, infrastructure, rape centres, climate change, water, agriculture, etc
15. Finally, make friends in Africa and find partners and doers that can help you get involved in ongoing or stagnant projects. There is no need to reinvent the wheel.
I agree … that governments are often incompetent and corrupt. The intended recipients of aid are not at fault.
Africa it’s a great country of course there’s many resources and of course world Cup in south Africa and cape town it’s will be lovely place…
Thanks for sharing such an topical article with all of us. I’ve bookmarked your blog will come back for a re-read again. Keep up the very good work.
[…] How not to give money to charities in Africa: “Do not watch TV images of Africa and feel only pity: starvation, war, HIV-AIDS etc…, Do not give money to Africa in an attempt to make yourself feel good, Do not give money to Africa because you feel guilty about colonialism…” Cancel this reply […]
Good Analysis and guide to supporters of charities in Africa.
I would add the 16th point that donors should aim at supporting small organizations because those small organizations do have so many “mouth” in form of personnel to feed with money fron charities compared to big ones.
Break the monotony ofwanting to fund only organizations that have been funded by another donor. Venture into new organizations.
Thanks for this blog entry! Some really good points here! I have posted my own blog response to your 15 points- I would love to hear your comments! http://bit.ly/dq8xpf
Your points are truly valid and I understand why so many people dont want to donate to africa after all the corruption and misuse of fund. However how can people who are actually involved in projects which are saving lives and uplifting african communities get funding. Im originally from the DRC and what we find there is war and HIV and poverty and very poor healthcare delivery in the public sector.Although the private sector is better, its not affordable to 90% of the population. We started a childrens hospital and maternity unit which caters for the poor and charge just enough to cover running cost. We provides better care than the public hospitals to mother and children and even specialised care such as paediatric oncology as the founder is a paediatric oncologist. We see an average of 400 children a month and deliver an average of 50 babies a month. The problem is companies have become so afraid of helping Africa because of the corrupted “charities” and governments who misuse these funds, that people like us who really need help for projects which are changing thousands of lives cant get anyone to help us, resulting in us having to fund these projects from our own pockets, which is practically impossible and not sustainable unless your a billionare. SO how to pro-active people who require financial support (not charity) to fund a good project that is already in place and saving lives, get help. How can we show companies that we are different from the fakes,we are truly making a difference in Africa but need thier help to continue.
If a country has a very competent and honest government then no one is actually suffering from hardships of life. Government is responsible for everything and should make or create some beneficial projects or livelihood program that will be of good help to their mankind. A country is poor maybe because of bad governance. Thanks for posting your points actually they are indeed true although I want to be neutral still. Thanks for enlighten us all.
No more money for Africa! If they have money for guns and war then cake should be easy to afford. It’s time Africa learn from it’s own mistakes. They are like the bad child of the world who needs saving year after year after year… No it should and must stop. Only when they can’t breath because of the stench of the dead will they learn to stop killing each other. Stop planting landlines and buying AK47’s! There is no other way I am sorry but the same mouths you feed laugh at you with obvious no respect for human life. Africa is the richest continent on this planet. Let Africa help Africa!
Many people hates me having been engaged in talking about corruption in the open forums, I have worked for both the Kenyan government and Sudanese Sudanese government and many NGOs, what made made me quit was stench of corruption, I was engaged in a massive social development program for South Sudan, I am proud that my project changed the lives for many but the government realizing good work that came out of my had, I encountered serious war with the group who wanted to have direct share of the project funding, I had to quit the project and traveled back to my country, eight month later there was a public demand that required me to go back to lead the project, it forced the Governor of Unity State to call me back to head the project, but first he needed me to have a meeting with him in Khartoum, he mentioned to me that he seriously needed me back to head the project and that he had realized I my project had 80% success in changing the lives of the people, given that 80% success had been run down, he needed me to go back and bring back the project into its original position from where I HAD LEFT IT.
I worked hard to bring the project back, the fishing project a long was earning the community US$ 900.000 annually and the beekeeping generating 10 ton of honey annually. realizing the income the project generating, the politicians grabbed the project from the community.
The rich and the powerful people are not happy seeing the poor growing economically, and this is the trend of a culture in AFRICA.
Too much talk is not gonna help either.
The way forward is to have change in leadership, the young must lead if this is the only way that a change of heart can be realized in Africa.
But who said that charity organizations are not corrupt, big names even such as World Vision were sometime in the spotlight, UNHCR and many more, I need to be proven wrong? we do not need charity we are rich, let Africa strangle to change its leadership and wealth will be created easily. Africa is more than.
I wish there were a good website to direct me to charities based on type and transparency. I guess it’s not that big of a deal as it’s a one time shot of large time to find a good one and only a little monitoring there after to ensure it stays a good one but it’s a hassle and I dislike how we can’t trust each other anymore.
PS: Susan Africa is a Continent, not a country that’s why there’s governments rather than government.
great publish, very informative. I wonder why the other specialists of
this sector do not realize this. You should continue your writing.
I am confident, you have a huge readers’ base already!