Introducing: The Adventure Project
Fall in love with this innovative non-profit that took the expression “teach a man to fish, he eats for a lifetime” literally.
Modern problem require modern solutions. In this case, Becky Straw, CEO of The Adventure Project, created modern solutions that solved decades-old problems. Health, food and water insecurity in the African subcontinent is a primary focus of humanitarian aid. With overall donations in North America dwindling, The Adventure Project organizes a long-term solution-based approach addressing 4 main areas lacking in skill and employment.
Money raised goes towards solving hunger, health, water and environment issues in Kenya, Malawi, Uganda and Tanzania. Additional communities and countries will be addressed as funding increases.
Examples of the jobs created through The Adventure Project are the following:
Creating Clean Cookstoves and Solar Lights.
Stoves are made locally and sold by men and women in Kenya and Tanzania. Each stove saves a family 20% of their daily expenses, because they use 50% less charcoal per day.
Equip farmers with the right tools and knowledge.
One irrigation pump can lift a farmer and his family out of poverty and into the middle class in as little as one harvest.
Training women locally to become licensed Community Health Workers
Each person cares for approximately 800 people in their community, giving special attention to pregnant mothers and young children. Health care agents have reduced child mortality by 25% in their communities.
Training local mechanics to keep water flowing.
Mechanics earn an income from fixing and maintaining wells while caretakers earn money by turning on the well each morning.
This approach is working wonders, as The Adventure Project raised $1,502,133 for their fiscal year ending Oct 31, 2018 and even more since. The transparency of the project’s administrative expenses is remarkable and deserves praise, as well.
Recent years have been tough on non-profits. The sector has posted a steady decline in funds raised as “the advocacy of some entities toward short-termism continues to erode the already low levels of public trust in the non-profit sector. In the long term, wisely chosen cooperation can pay off way beyond its initial costs and increases efficiencies.” (Koshy)
A solutions-based approach does bode well and investment in long-term skills-based education has allowed for 2,228 jobs to be created, serving 1.9M people.
In our interview with Becky Straw on May 16th, she encourages donors to give consistent donations on a monthly basis, as opposed to one-off donations, as it allows for greater strategic investment and long-term community commitments. Straw also encourages people to go on The Adventure Project’s website, or blog.
“Read the stories of how people are helped because of [a donor’s] generosity. That’s the most important…because it’s really when you hear about a woman who was living in a storage container, widowed and without a job, and now is caring for 800 children in her community. Those are the stories that are really inspiring and humbling that our supporters have made possible.”
The Adventure Project is a non-profit organization based in New York. They focus on the world’s greatest issues affecting people living in poverty.
References
Koshy, C. (2020). NEW IDEAS: Charitable giving and emergency situations: Striking the balance between urgent need and long-term solutions. Critical Fundraising. Retrieved from https://criticalfundraising.com/2020/04/01/new-ideas-charitable-giving-and-emergency-situations-striking-the-balance-between-urgent-need-and-long-term-solutions/
