Maxine Rich
The Hunger Project
Last week I was invited to hear Cathy Burke, CEO of the Hunger Project (Australia) talking about the work they are doing to help in the battle against world poverty. Her stories were inspiring, as they attempt to create a sustainable model for change. Their words are better than mine:
We function at the grassroots level, finding local leaders who then work within the community to set their own agenda and priorities.
We focus on women as change-agents. Women are disproportionately impoverished, yet they carry a large part of the burden of work and raising the children. Many studies verify that women do the most to improve health, nutrition and education when given the opportunity.
We have a clear exit strategy. Strong, locally-run programmes create self-reliant individuals, therefore The Hunger Project can leave a sustainable economy in 5-9 years.
All of this leads to a greater efficiency at The Hunger Project versus other NGO models. In fact, the consultants at McKinsey & Company verified that The Hunger Projects costs are one fifth of the best NGO models. (Average cost to end chronic hunger per person US $72 per year versus The Hunger Project: US $5-15 per person.)
As always, it was the stories of the women affected which spoke loudest. I have attached just one of these stories as it is impossible to deliver the message as powerfully: http://www.thp.org/node/1038