5 Reasons to Give Globally in 2020

If you are anything like us, 2020 has challenged your heart and mind. The pandemic has incited global anxiety, fear, and despair. At Orant Charities Africa, we still practice hope. Our faith in the goodness of humanity is sustained by the generosity of our donors and the tireless efforts of our staff. If there was ever a time that called for compassion, it is now. Here are five reasons to donate to globally this year:  

1. Your donation reduces more suffering per dollar.

$1 goes a lot farther in a country like Malawi than it does in the US. In Malawi:

• $1.40 can test and treat a child for malaria, saving his or her life. 
• $15 can feed a family for weeks. 
• $5,000 can drill a borehole that provides clean water to over 250 people. 

2. Community is no longer just local. 

If you live in a developed country, your grocery store is likely lined with produce that can’t grow in your climate. Your cellphone is created from materials mined from all over the world and assembled in China. The US’ carbon dioxide emissions weighed in at 5 billion tons in 2015. Africa accounts for only 2-3 percent of the world’s emissions. But Africa is one of the greatest victims of climate change. We are not separate. Our community is global. Our actions affect people on the other side of the world. 

3. If you think you’ve had a hard year, imagine not having running water.

More than 40% of the world’s population struggles to live on less than $5.50 a day. Many people have to walk over two hours to the nearest doctor. These people are not different from you. They were born into a country that has less resources than yours. By giving globally, you redistribute your excess. You contribute to a more equitable world.   

4. Global communities have been left out of this year’s charitable giving. 

In response to COVID-19, 58% of donors planned to give locally. Only 11% planned to give internationally. This left poor countries unsupported. In May, the Malawi government cautioned people to stay at home and stop farming. Malawians cannot order groceries online. They rely on their crops to survive. The world’s poor do not only feel inconvenienced by the pandemic, they starve. They need just as much support as local communities, if not more. 

5. The joy of giving lasts longer than the joy of getting. 

Studies suggest that giving makes us feel connected. It reminds us we belong. After nearly a year of social isolation, we all need connectivity. The pandemic may be global, but so is generosity. Be a part. Spread the love