Search Nonprofits

OBAT Helpers works for the welfare, support, and rehabilitation of displaced and stateless people by providing programs to alleviate the daily suffering and burdens of thousands of Urdu speaking people (known as "Biharis") who are stranded in makeshift camps in Bangladesh. OBAT Helpers implements projects in education and vocational training, self- empowerment through micro-financing, health care with clinics, drinking water, proper sewerage, and emergency relief projects. The Biharis have been stranded in Bangladesh since it achieved independence from Pakistan in 1971. Referred to as, astranded Pakistanis,a this community was supposed to be repatriated to Pakistan after the two countries separated but most of them could not due to political complications. They are presently citizens of nowhere, unclaimed by either country and marked by the UNHCR as refugees, yet deprived of the rights of refugees. They still live in the camps/slums that were supposed to serve as their temporary shelter forty years ago. This population is scattered across sixty-six camps which house around 300,000 people. Anyone visiting these camps would see a family of 7-10 people sharing a living space of 8x10 ft.; open sewers and overflowing drains; a single toilet or two for one hundred or so people; innocent six or seven year olds who should be in schools, working for a living; high-infant mortality rates due to absence of medical facilities; lack of clean drinking water; terrible or no sanitation facilities and nothing but abject poverty. OBAT Helpers is the only organization in North America which is committed to helping the Biharis to become self-reliant and empowered through proper education, health care and micro financing projects. OBAT started with providing help to one camp in 2004, and now, it is improving the lives of people in more than 30 out of the total 66 camps, after just six years. This is almost half of the total number of camps in Bangladesh.

With the goal of helping under-served communities in India, Nepal, and Tibet receive the vital services they need, Karuna-Shechen was founded in 2000 by Matthieu Ricard (www.matthieuricard.org), renown TED speaker, author, and humanitarian. We strive to reduce inequalities and work toward a fairer and more compassionate world. We trust that communities can be lifted out of poverty, that change is possible, and that the well-being of every individual, regardless of race, gender, class, or caste, is essential. We believe that building on local strengths and knowledge is the most efficient way to respond to the specific needs and aspirations of our beneficiaries. Rooted in the ideal of "compassion in action", we serve others with joy and determination by cultivating altruism in our hearts and actions. We provide vulnerable and disadvantaged populations access to health care, education and vocational training, clean water, solar electricity, and other sustainable solutions that offer options to find a livelihood and a better life. We work with a grassroots network of local partners, and give special attention to the education and empowerment of girls and women. Karuna-Shechen's name expresses its mission while paying homage to its roots: Karuna means "compassion" in Sanskrit, and Shechen is the name of a major monastery in Tibet.

The Center for Renewable Energy and Appropriate Technology for the Environment (CREATE!) was established in 2008 to help rural populations in the developing world prepare for water, food, and fuel shortages resulting from the impact of climate change on their communities. CREATE! operates on the principle that all people have a right to water, food, shelter, energy, and the means to earn a living. We work with village populations to meet these needs through a culturally respectful, participatory process grounded in our belief that people must have a stake in their development and contribute towards solving their own problems. The cooperative groups in our beneficiary villages have already demonstrated the validity of this approach. CREATE! currently operates in Senegal. Senegal is representative of many Sub-Saharan African countries that are hardest hit by the increasingly disastrous effects of global climate change. CREATE! responds to the inter-connected crises generated by climate change with strategies that decrease dependence on fossil fuels, conserve natural resources, and increase the use of appropriate technologies. Our programs produce sustainable, human needs-based development at the village level while forging resilient and vibrant communities across rural Senegal. CREATE! seeks to face these challenges and assist rural Senegalese residents with small-scale, accessible, and "appropriate" technologies - technologies that are adapted to, and fit, their local conditions - and with human needs-based strategies that can both better their lives and build their capacity to meet these inter-connected challenges. CREATE! works in six villages in two regions of Senegal. One region is in the rural north of Senegal, centered around Linguere in the Louga Region, where CREATE! implements programs in the village of Ouarkhokh. The other region is in the central-west of Senegal, centered around Gossas in the Fatick Region. CREATE! implements program activities in five villages in this region. The total beneficiary population of the six villages is approximately 12,000 people, comprised of both agricultural and pastoral peoples. The average per capita annual income of the population in these villages is approximately $350 a year. In each of these villages, CREATE! staff work closely with local and traditional authorities, including village chiefs and imams, in addition to other community leaders, families, and public schools. CREATE! values the expertise and input of community members and strives to incorporate their knowledge and participation into each stage of our programs. As a registered NGO in Senegal, CREATE! works with government officials from the regional office of the Department of Water and Forestry. CREATE! also respects the Senegalese government's strategic development goals for rural communities. Although CREATE!'s administrative office is located in the United States, CREATE! relies on local Senegalese staff and volunteers to plan and implement successful development interventions. Barry Wheeler, CREATE! Founder and Executive Director, has spent the past 27 years working to alleviate suffering and to provide basic human needs for rural villagers, displaced persons, and refugees in several countries in Sub-Saharan Africa. After serving in the Peace Corps for six years as an Improved Cook Stove and Appropriate Technology volunteer, trainer, and technical advisor in Togo, Barry earned a Master's degree in International Agriculture and Rural Development from Cornell University. Barry has served as Country Director for the American Refugee Committee's programs in Uganda, Sudan, and Rwanda; as a consultant for UNICEF and UNHCR; and as a team leader and training coordinator in local capacity building, renewable and appropriate technology, and sustainable rural development. CREATE! Chief Operations Officer Louise Ruhr has more than 30 years of private sector and nonprofit management experience and has spent the past eight years working with international NGOs, including the American Refugee Committee, to support women's cooperative groups in Rwanda and Senegal. CREATE! Country Director Omar Ndiaye Seck oversees program activities and conducts site visits in CREATE! communities. He also manages CREATE!'s finances and staff in Senegal. Omar closely collaborates with local and traditional authorities, community volunteers, and CREATE! staff to achieve both organizational and village goals.

Outreach Uganda is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization headquartered in Colorado and dedicated to helping empower Ugandans, especially women and children, to rise out of poverty. To do this, we work with village groups in Uganda to bring hope and improve lives, especially in the areas of education, women's empowerment, and self-sufficiency through job creation. Initially, our village groups help support themselves and their families through sales of paper beaded jewelry and other craft items. The beaders save money from their bead sales so they can then start own group or individual businesses to supplement their income and eventually we hope it will be their main source of income. Micro-credit loans from their group's internal revolving loan fund provides additional help for the ladies to either start businesses or further expand their existing businesses to a level that will help them rise above poverty. As an organization, we emphasize to both our donors and our clients that we believe in truly empowering those we help. In everything we do, we seek to be a partner with those we serve so that they do not become dependent on us, and so that we do not take away their spirit of wanting to help themselves. We believe that income-generation of the women, and education of the children is the way that families can truly become empowered. But it is essential to take a holistic approach and focus on multiple areas, all of which impact the woman's income-generation potential. For instance, a woman must be relatively healthy to be a successful business owner. Therefore, we must also help a woman address issues of health. For many of our women in northern Uganda, agriculture and the raising of cash crops will be key to their income generation potential. Therefore, agricultural issues, water issues and even land access and rights become important areas to address.

"No child's life shall be curtailed by the circumstances of his or her birth because each one deserves absolute love and infinite opportunity to grow" Established in 2012, our fundamental purpose is to deliver those without means into this world safely and render them to a loving family securely. To provide and ensure quality healthcare, education, and recreation to all children, is our broader initiative. We have due to the support of donor organizations made progress by leaps and bounds. Our presence in Machar Colony has helped the community in providing them with services that are the basic right of every individual. Following are the projects that we have initiated in Machar Colony: 1. Khel- A learning and rereational centre for children in Machar colony, which solely focus on providing a learning space, a play area and a secure environment for children who work at night in shrimp peeling factories and are found gambling or aimlessly roaming the streets in the day time. 2. Sehat Ghar- a maternal and child health clinic under the name Sehat Ghar and since its inception in 2014 has treated 45,000+ patients for Hepatitis B and C, tuberculosis, water-borne diseases, scabies, respiratory disorders and diabetes. Our program is working with expectant mothers and newborn children and is enabling the community through various medical camps in order to make informed decisions regarding health, family planning and child birth. The three room clinic has an ultrasound facility and a running labor room for expectant mothers. 3. Pasban-e-Mauhal- An environmentally friendly initiative focusing on solid waste management and waste disposal. A garbage loader and two sanitary workers have been assigned under this project which go door-to-door and collect waste. 4. Imkaan Ghar- A shelter for abandoned babies. Imkaan Ghar shelters babies that are rescued and are provided healthcare and a safe home until adopted by forever families.

Since our establishment in 1984, SIBAT envisions a just and sovereign society that upholds genuine development through people-based science & technology. SIBAT commits to develop, promote and popularize the application of appropriate technologies towards attaining village-level sustainable development in poor communities. As such, SIBAT have gained significant breakthroughs in sustainable agriculture, renewable energy, genetic conservation and water systems development. By the end of 2022, SIBAT's goals are: 1. Self-reliant and resilient communities that have adopted appropriate technologies and can adapt to the effects of climate change. 2. Institutionalized structures and mechanisms that support the appropriate technology (AT) efforts of SIBAT and partner poor communities. CORE VALUES AND GUIDING PRINCIPLES: Uphold social justice and national sovereignty. SIBAT helps enhance the poor people's opportunities to enjoy, and capabilities to assert and demand for, their basic rights. SIBAT unites with the people's effort to chart their own course towards national sovereignty and economic independence. Equity and bias for the poorest and disadvantaged. SIBAT assures everyone in the community equal opportunities from and access to appropriate technology, resources and benefits with particular attention given to the poor farmers, women and indigenous peoples. Peoples' participation and ownership in development. SIBAT upholds the people's right to determine, participate in, and have control over their own appropriate technology development. Holistic. SIBAT addresses community problems, through appropriate technology interventions, that are determined from a comprehensive and integrated perspective. Technological innovation and competence. SIBAT enhances the practice of innovation, development of knowledge and mastery of skills. SIBAT upholds quality standards in the application of science and technology for the people. Care for health and environment. SIBAT works for the conservation and management of the environment and gives due attention to the promotion of good health and well-being of the people. Gender consciousness. SIBAT integrates and promotes gender equality in its programs and projects, and in each individual's work, actions and language.

We strive to build & strengthen the capacity of the communities and empower the people particularly poor, marginalized and excluded to address their development needs through integration and coordination at local, provincial and national level. Objectives: 1. Conflict Resolution and Promotion of Peace & tolerance in the society 2. Empower deprived segments of society Women, Minorities, Children, Laborer and peasants to secure their basic rights. 3. To advocate for provision/Improvement of Education, Health, clean drinking water and sanitation facilities. 4. To work for promotion of human rights specifically of women, minorities, labor and peasants rights 5. To promote the democratic values and political education and struggle for Empowered Local Governments 6. To work for Climate Resilient society Approach: A participatory approach is followed towards socio- economic and political development of communities. Local knowledge and wisdom is on priority basis and sense of ownership is promoted among the target communities. STRATEGIES: SDA has implemented integrated strategy for the development and empowerment of deprived communities. Following strategies have been adopted for the intervening: Committees of SDA on Thematic Areas to analyze the issues, plan and implement program. Social Mobilization Capacity building Technical and financial support Research and knowledge building Advocacy and Networking Targeting poor and most deprived communities Focusing specially on women, children and farmer's development and empowerment Networking and Cooperation Strengthening local groups and other CSOs through providing capacity building opportunities VALUES: Following values are kept as belief at the centre in all our decisions and functions: Religious and cultural freedom Equal Learning's opportunities for all Peace, tolerance and democracy Gender equality and equity Participatory decision making Transparency and accountability Thematic Focus: Our all programs are scrutinized with the lens of Gender and environment which are the cross cutting theme in all the activities. Organization works in the following thematic area; 1. Democracy, Governance & Social Services 2. Human Rights 3. Peace & Tolerance 4. Environment Protection

Bududa Learning Center is an umbrella organization that includes a vocational high school, an orphans program for children, and a microfinance program for women. It is located in the isolated mountain district of eastern Uganda. It was founded by Canadian-born Barbara Wybar, who has been living on site a portion of each year for the past 14 years. This isolated region, one of the poorest in Uganda, is over-populated with most families having an average of 8 children. They live by growing their own food. Most of the region has no running water or electricity. Both the education and health care system are severely under-funded and inadequate. Jobs are scarce. Most people are hungry most of the time. How & Who We Help. We work to address the problems in three ways: 1. Training young people in basic trades: carpentry; brick-laying; dress-making and tailoring; nursery teacher training; computer skills training; and hairdressing training. 2. Providing broad support to 170 children and young people, many of them orphans from AIDS, by providing education enrichment, food, and health care. 3. Training and providing micro finance loans to single mothers and grandmothers in the region who are bringing up children on their own and have no means of support, so they can start small businesses. How It Is Run The Center is staffed by Ugandans working in a professional capacity. Barbara Wybar acts as Executive Director and works in a volunteer capacity. There is a growing volunteer contingent of people from the west who visit and do volunteer work there and others who take on management and administrative work in Canada and the US in a volunteer capacity. A guest house and annex provide housing for up to 12 visiting volunteers at a time. Local Oversight A local Advisory Board of the Center, led by Father Paul Buyela, provides oversight to the headmaster of the school and the directors of the two other programs. It is made up of representatives of the teachers, the parents, the regional education board, and the community as well as the executive director. The chairman is a highly respected educator as well as clerical leader in the region at large. Governance and Financial Support Bududa Canada Foundation provides governance to the Center and raises funds from individuals, foundations, and organizations to support the Center. It is incorporated in Canada holds charitable status from the Canadian Revenue Authority (#82535 8286 RR0001). There is a board directors of five people, three of whom are Canadian and two American. Financial support comes from Canada, the United States, and the United Kingdom. Officers & Board of Directors Sally Bongard (Toronto), Chairman and Secretary Scott Douglas (Connecticut) Cecily Lawson (Montreal) Lizette Gilday (Montreal), President Barbara Wybar (Philadelphia, Quebec, and Uganda), Treasurer

To promote, encourage and project these principles in all its dimensions, within and beyond South Africa's borders. To benefit all of creation, in keeping with these principles, including service to plant, animal , environment and all of humanity irrespective of race, religion, colour, culture, political affiliation or geographical boundary. This service to be conducted in a non-judgemental manner. To uphold the dignity and honour of man, striving to make him self-sufficient and independent at the time of crisis or otherwise; (man refers to both genders where appropriate). To be gender sensitive and to take a special interest in the care of children , orphans , women , physically and mentally challenged individuals and the elderly . Without derogating from the generality of the aforegoing the activities of the Foundation , inter alia , include: Disaster management and humanitarian aid delivery in crises whether natural or man-made including floods, cyclones, hurricanes, earthquakes , tornado, accidents and war; Establishment of medical facilities , clinics and hospitals; Delivery of medicines and medical equipment; Establishment of feeding schemes, food parcel delivery and poverty relief programmes including assistance with burial and funeral arrangements, provision of new and used clothing, blankets and baby milk powder; Provision of boreholes, waterwells and water purification tablets; Provision of free telephonic and face-face counselling services in matters of depression, drug abuse, relationship problems, HIV/AIDS, marital discord, parenting, learning difficulties, teenage problems, child abuse, domestic violence, maintenance grants, etc. ; Establishment of Drug Rehab Centres and Havens for the abused; women and children in particular; Establishment of orphanages and old age homes; Provision of wheelchairs, hearing aids, braille machines and any such equipment and aids to assist physically and mentally challenged individuals; Provision of Life Skills training; empowerment counselling and skills in counselling; Establishment of skills development programmes, entrepreneul skills and job creation projects; Promoting South Africa as a means to encourage tourism, investment and further job creation initiatives; Provision of agricultural implements and Farmer's Packs (seeds, fertiliser , LAN, etc.) to promote food security and self sustainability; Establishment of educational institutions whether religious or secular; Provision of bursaries, textbooks, stationery, computers, technology workshops and other educational support; Establishment of places of worship including a tekke (meeting place for dervishes or disciples); Promotion of peace, tolerance, understanding, love, mercy and inter-faith dialopue between people, communities, cultures and religions; Promotion of faith, spirituality and religious awareness ; Establishment of community radio, television and media to assist with all the above principles; Support of artists who can promote all the above principles through song , writings, etc.

Fast Rural Development Program (FRDP) is a nonprofit and nongovernmental organization registered under the societies Act XXI of 1860, working in the underprivileged areas of Sindh, Pakistan since 2007. The Program is aimed at facilitating the disadvantaged communities in a way that they could be empowered to secure their rights with command over the resources and capabilities to manage the process of sustainable development. FRDP is involved with overall integrated development but its major focus is to promote Water and Sanitation, Health & Hygiene, Emergency Relief, improve Education, SRHR, MNCH, Poverty Alleviation, Promotion of Human Rights (especially the rights of women, children indigenous groups and persons with disabilities), Peace Building and Good Governance. FRDP has well educated, experienced and committed members on its board. FRDP is known for its highly qualified, motivated and experienced staff, quality work, transparent systems and excellent perception among the communities, government and other relevant stakeholders at provincial, national and international level. FRDP has implemented a wide range of projects with its national and international partners including government in the fields as mentioned above. Some prominent partners are Sindh Education Foundation, UNICEF, FAO, IOM, Oxfam, Concern Worldwide, The Asia Foundation, Penny Appeal, Amir Khan Foundation and ActionAid. The organization has up to the mark systems and policies which include Tally ERP Financial Software, Financial Policy, Admin & Logistic Policy, HR & Gender Policy, Internal & External Audit Systems and Complaint Response Mechanism. FRDP seeks the services of topmost auditors for its annual audit. FRDP believes in two-way monitoring system i.e. top to bottom and vice versa. FRDP has its well established and equipped Head Office in Hyderabad and a number of Field Offices in different districts. Vision Peaceful, socio-economically empowered and resilient society with ensured fundamental rights Mission Promote self resilience of communities by organizing and mobilizing them; and contributing in sustainable development through integrated, inclusive, environment friendly approach Objectives 1) Provision of WASH facilities to most disadvantaged communities in its operational areas for improving their current health status along with health and hygiene education. 2) Improve nutritional status of pregnant, neonatal, children and lactating women in the most marginalized and excluded areas of Sindh with special focus on the critical first 1000 days from a woman's pregnancy to that child's second birthday. 3) Assist communities to wrestle with natural calamities being resilient to climate change and emergencies in order to bail out from intricacies of emergency. 4) Render world class education incorporated with latest handy tools with ICT in all FRDP's schools for reaching poorest of poor for developing their future all-encompassing character building and morality 5) Strengthen Livelihood means and ways of communities to reduce their rooted poverty for their development and make them socio- economical self persistent and dependent. 6) Promote human rights especially those of children, women, laborers, PWDs and indigenous communities for their social, political and economic empowerment. Core Values 1) Commitment and Dedication for humanitarian cause 2) Respect and dignity for all 3) Do 'No Harm' 4) Honesty & Transparency 5) Inclusiveness 6) Gender & Cultural Sensitivity 7) Equality and Equity

Africa Schoolhouse (ASH) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to bringing quality education, medical care, job training and clean water to rural villages in Northern Tanzania. In order to achieve these goals, ASH works in partnership with communities and the local government to build desperately needed schools, deep wells and medical clinics, creating an environment that enables residents to live full, productive and healthy lives. ASH was founded in 2006 after village elders from Ntyula, Tanzania approached founder Dr. Aimee Bessire with the idea of building a school for their children and a medical clinic for the entire community. Dr. Bessire, who has a decades long relationship with the people of Ntulya, was determined to take action. Within six months, the Africa Schoolhouse board was assembled. ASH broke ground on its first project, the Ntulya Primary School and campus, in July 2008 and completed construction in 2010. President of Tanzania, Jakaya Kikwete, personally inaugurated the new school and declared it a model for all rural schools in the country. The villagers talked about how proud they were that the President came to visit the school they had helped to build. Following the request of the Ntulya elders, the organization completed a modern medical clinic the following year, which now serves approximately 4,500 people. ASH continued working with local communities in the region to identify need and completed the renovation of Mwaniko Secondary School and Shilanona Primary School in 2012 and 2014. Improvements at these locations included building a bio-chemistry lab and the installation of the first solar-powered computer lab in Misungwi District. ASH also trained a local work-force to help with the construction and continued maintenance of these projects. ASH's newest project is to construct an all-girls boarding school-the first in Misungwi District. This exemplary school will provide space for 360 girls in Forms 1-4, with the possibility to expand the campus and add another 80 girls in Forms 5-6 as needed in later years. Currently only 1% of Tanzanian girls complete secondary school education. They face a wide range of obstacles to their education, including everything from families who privilege the education of sons over daughters, to girls being married off at young ages, and unsafe journeys to school. One of the largest issues faced by girls is finding a safe place to live while pursuing their education. In this rural area, many girls travel long distances to reach school. Safe passage to and from school is a critical issue. We want to provide a safe living situation for young women to delight in their education. ASH is partnering with Misungwi District to build a much-needed safe haven for girls, empowering them through education to grow into strong, healthy women. In addition to a standard academic curriculum, the school will also promote leadership, entrepreneurship, social justice and care for the environment. The school will create an essential safe space where young women can successfully complete their studies and grow into empowered, independent adults. As with our other projects ASH is collaborating with the local communities, school committee, and Tanzanian government. We are building this school at the request of the local community, who identified this as their greatest need. The school will be staffed and run by the District once completed. The District has selected Florencia Ndabashe to be the school's head teacher. Ndabashe currently leads a co-ed secondary school in Misungwi and brings great energy to her work. She will be a strong leader for the girls school, inspiring her fellow teachers and serving as an excellent role model for young women.

Mission Statement To generate knowledge and enhance the capacity of citizens and organizations to influence public policy choices in order to consolidate democracy and good governance in Liberia. OUR VISION: We envision a society where IDA is the leading think tank in Liberia advocating for democracy. Gathering and sharing knowledge to promote feasible democratic alternatives that nurture sustainable development and promote a free, just and prosperous society Programs IDA's activities and programs are guided by the Institute's vision, set of core valves, and standard operating procedures, all of which embody the ethos of the Institute as envision in its mission statement. We recognize the importance of adherence to international best practices, and making use of lessons from other situations and context in the development and execution of policy and programs. Nonetheless, each of the institute's program and activities shall be informed by local reality, taking into account the specific situation, context and resources. Capacity Building for Civil Society, Public and Private Sector Institutions: IDA has developed an approach that provides tailored and specialized capacity enhancement programs aimed at strengthening the overall structures and capacities of civil society and private sector institutions. This is the core of our initiative-strengthening the operational and technical capacities of institutions and professionals to meet the growing demand within our emerging democracy. IDA believes in and promotes the exchange of knowledge, skills and experience as a means of encouraging human capital empowerment, a prerequisite for democratic development in Liberia. Citizen Engagement and Policy Reform: IDA upholds a practical approach to policy engagement and reform processes, which can be used as a model for policy advocacy and engagement in Liberia. The organization's approach is based on providing a space and a platform for citizens, civil society and other actors to dialogue with policymakers on issues affecting them. Our aim is to convene policymakers, service providers, citizens and other development stakeholders to play an influential role in policy. Fueling Civil Society-Private and Public Sector Partnerships: IDA believes that private, public and civil society sectors have to work in tandem to play mutually inclusive and beneficial roles in strengthening and sustaining democratic development in Liberia's post-recovery program. IDA's, approach is based on providing a neutral multi-stakeholder space for engagement with civil society and other stakeholders in service delivery, and to contribute to ongoing development in Liberia. Peace-Building and Local Governance: IDA-Liberia believes that peace-building and local governance are critical components of state-building processes-especially in countries that have experienced sustained violence over the years, such as Liberia and countries in the Mano River Basin. After over a decade of violent conflict, local governments have found themselves facing enormous challenges, both human and capital. And we believe this should be the heartbeat of community recovery program. For stability and development, it is necessary to improve and maintain citizen's security, to ingrate women, youth and ex-combatant participation in decision-making processes in the local community and, in this manner, to overcome existing divisions within the society. A very critical issues to focus on is addressing citizens' access to basic infrastructure and social services such as improved roads, clean water, well-equipped schools and comprehensive healthcare as well as providing ample and viable economic opportunities. Local authorities will often need to regain the trust of their population in setting development agendas and priorities. IDA-Liberia believes the challenges and issues of peace-building and governance can be addressed on the ground with proper designed programs and projects that are geared toward strengthening the capacities of citizens and local officials at community level.