Funny how that little (s) on the end of things can make all the difference. Our singular partnership is over 25 years old, but in the last few years we have worked to add the (s) on the end and what a difference it makes! A partnership, by definition, is an arrangement that is made in a spirit of cooperation between parties agreeing to work to advance mutual interest.
This does not begin to speak to the exponential effects that can come from a partnership of people wishing to do good in the world. We are humbled every day by what can be done when we are joined by like-minded folks.
We had the good fortune this week of receiving an $840 check for our Adult Literacy Program from Greater Good (www.greatergood.org), the amount needed to fund an Adult Literacy class for one community for one year!
After their visit to La Gonave last March they decided they wanted to partner with us in order to support the work we are doing there. It was quite a compliment as these folks travel all over the world and when you read their philosophy you will see why we were flattered.
We’re committed to making the world a better place by using simple online ways to protect the health and well-being of people, animals and the planet. GreaterGood.org™ partners with and funds leading nonprofit organizations around the world in order to alleviate poverty and hunger, promote peace, address cancer and other widespread health problems, foster literacy and provide education, preserve vital habitats in peril, and provide protection and care to vulnerable animals.
At the end of the March visit we took them down to the beach to see them off after just two short days and as they left we heard the promise, “We’ll be in touch.” Well, we all want to hope at a time like that, but we had heard enough to know that they are very busy folks. It was hard not to be a bit skeptical, but they have certainly been good for their word.
New programs like Adult Literacy and our Maternal and Child Healthcare initiative are hard to fund. In the world of non-profits funding agencies only want to give you money for a program that has proven itself. Well, it is like the old adage of “how can I get experience if you won’t give me a job.” Fortunately for us, the folks at Greater Good partner with folks they know and trust. We show them a well thought plan and they put us on their site.
For those of you who don’t know how it works, the sites that Greater Good operates sell fair-traded items made by their partners all over the world. As people shop and check out they are offered an opportunity to add Gifts That Give More ( http://www.greatergood.org/cause-hunger.html) and by adding a small amount to your purchase you can give healthcare to women and children and literacy to adults in Haiti. Brilliant!
Brilliant, because people want to help, but often don’t know how to do it in small increments…amounts that become large when added to other contributions. And, whether you shop or not, contributions can be made on these sites and we get 100% of what is contributed.
Now, as with any partnership, we have to do our part. Everyone should be going to Greater Good to shop and sending out the link to your congregation, friends and family to drive people to the site. We currently have two programs listed in the Gifts That Give More.
For just $18 you can fund the prenatal care for one woman for the duration of her pregnancy. It is our responsibility to get this word out to people who might donate.
https://thehungersite.greatergood.com/store/ths/item/53996/lifesaving-prenatal-care-in-haiti?source=10-53996-
For just $10 you can fund one month of Adult Literacy in one of the partnership communities on La Gonave.
https://thehungersite.greatergood.com/store/ths/item/53397/increase-adult-literacy-in-haiti?source=10–1612905415-1
As partners with Greater Good we need to be sure this information gets out. Imagine what would happen if we all just had each person in our congregations donate $28 to cover both programs. And then you add family and friends. That’s the way we put an (s) on the end of Partnership!