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efficacy and effectiveness
of local solutions to local problems--especially in Africa--is gaining momentum as a powerful theory of philanthropy. For example, despite theenormous increase in the number of orphans from HIV/AIDS, there has not been an increase in orphanges. They are rare, because relatives and neighbors often absorbthese children into their own families. According to the New England Journal of Medicine, the support of local efforts in Africa to improve the education, health, and welfare of children have results comparable to international organizations at one tenth the cost. These effortsare usually the poor helping the destitute. They exist without external support;they flourish with tiny amounts of capital. Rather than creating dependency, they build long term self-sufficiency. Molo Care uses this model,
providing small amounts of capital to well trusted principals and
community leaders.As the first American visitors to Cebelile Primary,
in 2000, we were impressed by thesincerity and dedication of the
families and staff. We left them $500 US dollars, as seed money
for a much longed for library. Six months later, we received
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