The Peace Corps was invited to El Salvador and sent its first Volunteers in 1962. During the next 15 years, more than 1,500 Volunteers worked in 15- 20 sectors, serving primarily as project partners to government agencies and offices. In 1980, increasing violence prior to the civil war led the Peace Corps to close its offices. The destruction of economic and social infrastructure during the war sent El Salvador back to 1950s levels in most economic and social indicators. A 1986 earthquake destroyed much of what the war did not, especially in San Salvador. Moreover, widespread migration led to the breakdown of many social and family institutions and particularly affected youth and the environment. The government of El Salvador invited the Peace Corps to return to El Salvador in 1993. The first Volunteers arrived later that year. They were asked to increase the capacity of local people in several priority areas identified by the government and later affirmed by civil society in the Plan de Nacion, or National Plan, presented in 2000. The National Plan is a blueprint for national development, and Peace Corps programming is consistent with its priorities. The role of Peace Corps Volunteers remains to build capacity for local people and institutions.

The Peace Corps entered Cameroon in 1962 with 20 Volunteers who served as math and science teachers. Peace Corps/Cameroon's program grew and diversified to include inland fisheries, credit union and cooperatives education, English, community forestry, health and sanitation, and community development. Since then, more than 3,200 Volunteers have served in Cameroon. Currently, there are five robust projects in Cameroon: education, community health, environment, community economic development and youth development. The common themes that run through all Peace Corps/Cameroon projects are impact, focus, counterpart involvement, Volunteer competence, and organizational professionalism. Through collaboration and good teamwork, the Peace Corps has made a difference in many aspects of life in Cameroon, one community at a time. History and Future of Peace Corps Programming in Cameroon: Peace Corps programs directly respond to development priorities of the Cameroonian government. For example, the Community Health Project was recently redesigned to focus on maternal and child health and HIV/AIDS prevention and mitigation areas in order to assist Cameroon in its achievement of Millennium Development Goals. Although Volunteers are placed throughout all 10 regions of Cameroon, not every project is represented in every region. Each project concentrates on a few of the regions to maximize Volunteer impact and effectiveness.

Times have changed since the First Lady Dona Alejandrina Bermudez de Villeda Morales accompanied the first training class of Peace Corps Volunteers to Honduras in 1962. Over the past 40+ years, more than 5,000 Volunteers have served in Honduras in a wide range of project areas, including health, fisheries, beekeeping, animal husbandry, special education, vocational education, small business, and agriculture. Project areas and the number of Volunteers have changed in response to the changing needs of the country. Projects such as fisheries, beekeeping, and education were phased out as Honduran people and institutions developed the capacity to continue the work on their own. Other projects, such as municipal development, HIV/AIDS prevention, and business development, have been initiated or have evolved with technological advances, increased globalization of world markets, and other developments. In response to the crisis caused by Hurricane Mitch in 1998, the number of Volunteers in Honduras increased dramatically, and in the early 2000s there were approximately 225 Volunteers. Today an average of 180 to 200 Volunteers work throughout Honduras, except in the Bay Islands and La Mosquitia.

History of the Peace Corps in Burkina Faso The Peace Corps entered Burkina Faso, then called Upper Volta, in 1966. Programs included small enterprise development, education, agriculture, and environment. In 1987, Peace Corps ceased operations in Burkina Faso due to the government's development policies no longer aligning with Peace Corps goals. After a change in government administration and policies, the Peace Corps was invited back to Burkina Faso in 1995 to begin a health program. Programs in education and small enterprise development were established in 1996 and 2003, respectively. Currently, nearly 150 Volunteers work throughout the country. Approximately 2,000 Peace Corps Volunteers have served in Burkina Faso to date. History and Future of Peace Corps Programming in Burkina Faso Peace Corps/Burkina Faso works within three program areas: health, education, and community economic development. These projects were recently revised, taking into account the country's needs and the comparative advantage of using Volunteers. Health Volunteers' primary responsibilities are to work in close collaboration with local health clinic staff to raise awareness on topics such as maternal and child health, malaria, hygiene, nutrition, family planning, and HIV/AIDS for people living in their communities. Education Volunteers use participatory student-centered approaches to teach math, science, information, and communication technologies, and life skills....

"Children and adults alike love the popular Christian Heroes: Then & Now series. Now Christian Heroes authors Janet and Geoff Benge tell the stories of Heroes of History with the same engaging narrative style and historical depth! This new series brings the shaping of history to life with the remarkable true stories of fascinating men and women who changed the course of history. Known during the Civil War as the "Angel of the Battlefield," Clara Barton went on to identify thousands of missing soldiers and to organize the American National Red Cross (1821-1912).

This is the inspirational story of how an older Australian couple, Trish Clark and Iain Finlay...both authors in their seventies... built a proper road to a remote and impoverished village in Northern Laos. While working on an internet project of their own in Luang Prabang, the World Heritage-Listed former Royal Capital of Laos, they befriended a young waiter, Chanthy, who was studying at night school. They began helping him, first with his English, then with his college fees and accommodation. His parents, relatively poor subsistence rice famers, pleased at this unexpected boost for their son, asked Trish and Iain to visit their village, NaLin, about three hours south of Luang Prabang, down the Mekong River, or four hours by dirt road. After a brief weekend stay in the village, during which they were treated to a traditional baci ceremony in their honor, they came away wondering what they could do to help the villagers, whose average daily earnings were little more than three dollars. At the time there was no electricity, no running water...except for that from a mountain stream to three or four outlets in the village, no health facilities, no proper sewerage system and a fairly under-resourced primary school. But worst of all, a shocking five kilometer quagmire of a track was all that provided the only connection to the outside world in the rainy season, either to the Mekong River, or to another dirt road in slightly better condition, leading to the District Center of Muang Nan. So Trish and Iain decided to try to tackle something in which they had absolutely no knowledge or expertise. They decided to build a proper road to the village of NaLin. This book traces more than two years of the trials and tribulations experienced in their efforts to raise funds in Australia and elsewhere in order to build the road...of the setbacks and disappointments as expected sources of funding did not eventuate or dropped away...of elation when generous donors came up with substantial, no-strings-attached contributions...of optimism as they engaged a Lao senior Roads Engineer to carry out a preliminary GPS-based assessment and a survey of the road...but also of caution as they made first contact with Lao government bureaucracy in the form of the Department of Public Works and Transportation, as well as with a road building contractor who undertook to build the road into, through and beyond NaLin village. Throughout all of this, as Trish and Iain shuttled back and forth between Australia and Laos, the young Chanthy, now working as a salesmen in a Luang Prabang handicraft shop...his English improving all the while...became the linch-pin of the whole project, working with his father, as well as the village headmen...not only of NaLin village but of two other even poorer villages, Houayhe and Phujong, further up the track, which were keen to benefit from the planned improvements to the road. Then, in early May 2013, they finally had enough money in their fund to do the job, and a contractor who could do it. So on May 9th, after a flight to Laos and an all-day session signing contracts in the Department of Public Works in Muang Nan, the big equipment; an excavator, a grader, two 10-ton trucks and a water truck rolled out on to the road to NaLin and began work. But there was drama developing, as a replacement for a broken part on another piece of equipment, the heavy roller, did not arrive and all the work done on the road was threatened by the fast approaching wet season rains. But when a replacement roller is found and leased from another company, the work resumes and the road is finished on time, just before the rains set in. With a traditional baci ceremony to thank the spirits of the netherworld, there are celebrations all round, as smiling villagers take in their new road and the changes it will bring for them. A small project... a world of difference.

Amy Eisenstein guides you, in only five hours a week, to safely and surely meet the challenges of getting your organization ready for major gift fundraising, all the way up to that all-important ask--and beyond.

If you've been in fundraising for any length of time, you've no doubt heard of the "90/10 Rule." In its simplest terms, it means that 90 percent of the funding comes from 10 percent of our donors. Yet far too often, the majority of our time is spent focused on low-yield fundraising activities, such as events. Amy argues that the key to successful long-term, sustainable fundraising lies in dramatically increasing your fundraising income from individual donors. And savvy fundraisers will do well to heed her advice.

But how can you get started? With Amy at the helm, guiding you in developing your organization's major gifts program, you'll find it's absolutely doable. Amy doesn't pull any punches. She makes it clear, if you're going to succeed in major gifts, that everyone will need to be on board and that effective and consistent fundraising training is a must. It's a commitment. Throughout the book, she explains key fundraising concepts, the difference between major gifts and capital campaigns, how to determine exactly what constitutes a major gift for your organization, the importance of gift acceptance policies, job responsibilities for your major gift team, the role of online fundraising in major gifts fundraising, the role of direct mail, maintaining your database, and more.

In short, she cuts to the chase to show you that major gift fundraising is something that, yes, you can do. It just takes focus and Amy's know-how, marvelously outlined within these pages.

Part One-- You Can Raise Major Gifts in Only Five Hours per Week

Chapter One: The Secret to Successful Fundraising: Creating a Culture of Philanthropy and Professionalism at Your Organization

Chapter Two: Creating Your Strategy

Chapter Three: The Secret Weapon of Major Gifts: Engaging Your Board

Chapter Four: Creating an Army of Advocates and the Role of Social Media

Chapter Five: What Does Bulk Mail Have to Do with Major Gifts?

Part Two-- Are You Ready to Ask for a Major Gift? Preparing to Ask

Chapter Six: Who Will You Ask for Major Gifts?

Chapter Seven: Researching Your Prospects: The Fine Line between Professional and Creepy

Chapter Eight: The Art and Science of Getting a Meeting: How to Meet With People You Know--and with People You Don't

Chapter Nine: How to Build Deeper Relationships with Major Gift Prospects

Part Three-- The Moment of Truth: Asking and Beyond

Chapter Ten: Get Ready to Ask

Chapter Eleven: The Moment of Truth (Time to Ask)

Chapter Twelve: More Than Simply Thank You

Part Four-- Taking Your Organization to the Next Level

Chapter Thirteen: Considering a Capital Campaign?

Chapter Fourteen: Can a Small Shop Really Do Planned Giving?

Chapter Fifteen: Moving on Up: Taking Your Organization to the Next Level

Have you ever thought about helping other people not as fortunate as yourself? Well, that is exactly what 53 young 18-19 year olds mainly from the UK set out to do from 1960-70. Turn the clock forward 33 years and discover what is still going on today: A true story about the current on-going search for the remaining 7 / 53 Voluntary Service Overseas (VSO) 18 year olds who worked in the schools of the small coastal communities of Labrador, Newfoundland, Canada 1960-70. The Year is 2002, how and why the search for the VSO came about: I was browsing the internet one day in 2002...trying to find a way to repay the great generosity of Margaret Burden, Mayor of Port Hope Simpson, Labrador, Newfoundland, Canada for having paid for my trip back out to the Town's "Coming Home" celebrations in 2002. All this had come about because from 1969 - 70 I had worked as a VSO teacher at the Anglican School in Port Hope Simpson and then 32 years later, quite out-of-the-blue, had come this completely unexpected, fantastic invitation which I quite simply had to repay.

The Great Irish Famine was one of the most devastating humanitarian disasters of the nineteenth century. In a period of only five years, Ireland lost approximately 25% of its population through a combination of death and emigration. How could such a tragedy have occurred at the heart of the vast, and resource-rich, British Empire? Charity and the Great Hunger in Ireland explores this question by focusing on a particular, and lesser-known, aspect of the Famine: that being the extent to which people throughout the world mobilized to provide money, food and clothing to assist the starving Irish. This book considers how, helped by developments in transport and communications, newspapers throughout the world reported on the suffering in Ireland, prompting funds to be raised globally on an unprecedented scale. Donations came from as far away as Australia, China, India and South America and contributors emerged from across the various religious, ethnic, social and gender divides. Charity and the Great Hunger in Ireland traces the story of this international aid effort and uses it to reveal previously unconsidered elements in the history of the Famine in Ireland.

Have you ever thought, "I can't sit around and watch this horrible thing happen?" Did you get up, go out, and try to make a difference? This is the true tale of one family's leap of faith to pursue God's calling and walk across America, in order to bring attention to the global clean water crisis. When the Hinman family discovered that children as young as four are walking long distances each day to fetch water that can be dirty and dangerous, they set off on this hilarious journey in the hopes of changing the future of some of the water walkers across the globe. Along the way, they encountered a nation's worth of generous individuals as they endured the hardships of living out of their SUV, the elements, and sacrificial living. Join the Hinmans in this walk to discover what it means to be patriotic, experience God's enduring love and provision, and learn about the difference one person can make in the lives of others.The author of this book has pledged all personal royalties to benefit the clean water crisis.

For more information, please visit waterwalkamerica.com

How to Save the World on $5 a Day provides a fascinating, multi-cultural look at the history and traditions of charitable giving, and offers innovative instruction on the theory and practice of a new form of altruism dubbed personal philanthropy -- all in the form of an inspirational novelette. Designed to be read in a single sitting, this "Parable of Personal Philanthropy" uses the unexpected meeting and burgeoning romance between a passionately committed social activist named Annette and a creatively blocked artist named John to explore how even modest charitable giving can lead to personal happiness...a reinvigorated sense of self-worth...and ultimately, spiritual enlightenment. The secret is not how much you give; it's how you give...It's not about amount. It's about intent...Caring not currency...Mindfulness not money...In colorful, cliffhanger chapters that advance the story of Annette and John...bring to life charitable fables from Catholicism, Judaism, Islam and Buddhism...and introduce the reader to innovative ways to vividly experience the mental and spiritual benefits of personal philanthropy, this book offers a marvelous glimpse of life as it can be with just a slight adjustment in our perceptions and attitudes. It sends a timely and important message of hope and possibility to a worldwide audience that yearns for diverse and creative approaches on how to experience personal enlightenment and...How to Save the World on $5 a Day.

Since 1962, more than 3,000 Volunteers have served in the Dominican Republic. These Volunteers have contributed to technical skills transfer and institutional capacity-building in a wide range of fields, including agriculture, urban and rural community development, forestry, conservation, environmental education, community health and child survival, nursing, small business development, fisheries, water and sanitation, teacher education, university education, youth development, and information technology. Over the years, Peace Corps Volunteers have contributed significantly to the establishment and development of many of the country's leading nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) and have worked hand-in-hand with the various administrations that have governed the Dominican Republic. In keeping with its commitment to peace and development, the Peace Corps remained in the Dominican Republic throughout its civil war in the 1960s. Our commitment to service has been highlighted through the good work of Volunteers and their project partners in the recovery efforts following two of the most severe hurricanes to hit the country's shores (David in 1979 and George in 1998).

Membership is critical for all Rotary clubs. These new members must include a mix of younger, middle aged and older members. It is this variety in age that increases the quality of a club's membership. This is a book about membership and change. Many clubs overlook the fact that the majority of their members will be retiring in the next decade and that the generations to follow are radically different from the generations of the past. It is critical for all Rotary leaders to understand that what brought them into Rotary may not be the same thing that will bring this next generation into Rotary. While the current excitement is finding young people to bring into Rotary, there is a large group of retiring Boomers that could help to increase our membership. They are a vital group of healthy, wealthy and wise potential Rotarians. They are very different from those young prospects in many ways and the attraction process is different for both groups.

Predating democracy, capitalism, organized religion, and as old as humanity itself, philanthropy exists because things often go wrong, and things can always be better in our world. Nothing about philanthropy requires a person to have excessive amounts of money to make a difference. In Middle-Class Philanthropist: How anyone can leave a legacy, Melinda Gustafson Gervasi redefines the conventional view of philanthropy, providing simple and practical tools by which anyone can leave a legacy.

This Discussion Paper explores Nigeria's human development aid to Africa, Caribbean and Pacific countries under its international volunteer programme called the Technical Aid Corps (TAC). It critically examines the relationship between participation in international civic service and civic nationalism. Using a combination of empirical and analytical methods, the author is able to provide insights into the impact of two decades of Nigeria's aid diplomacy within the context of South-South solidarity and into the inculcation of values linked to globally oriented citizenship in TAC volunteers. The findings of this study are of value to those interested in emerging African development cooperation in the global South and the expanding notions of citizenship beyond borders. Scholars, development actors and policy-makers will find this study refreshingly different and highly informative.

Every year people all over the world donate money to charity or volunteertheir time to help the needy. These selfless acts are wonderful and their donations are highly valued...further to this as giving evolves, it moves from well-intentioned involvement to commitment and that commitment becomes philanthropy.You may be asking yourself, "What's the difference? I give money and I lend a hand...".but that is just the beginning of the philanthropic journey. Philanthropy; an INSPIRED Process is an important guide for those seeking to grow from their involved giving to truly committed philanthropy.Through inspiring stories of global philanthropic icons, you'll be lead through an INSPIRED Process. This book is a must read and a valuable resource for anyone who wants to take their giving to the next level. Once you read it you'll be INSPIRED to do the same.www.theinspiredprocess.com

Drawing on the expertise of Chinese and Western academics and practitioners, the contributors to this volume aim to advance the understanding of philanthropy for health in China in the 20th century and to identify future challenges and opportunities. Considering government, NGO leaders, domestic philanthropists, and foreign foundations, the volume examines the historical roots and distinct stages of philanthropy and charity in China, the health challenges philanthropy must address, and the role of the Chinese government, including its support for Government Organized Non-Governmental Organizations (GONGOs). The editors discuss strategies and practices of international philanthropy for health; the role of philanthropy in China s evolving health system; and the prospects for philanthropy in a country beginning to engage with civil society."

Ethiopia is home to more than 80 ethnic and linguistic communities. Proud to be an African state that was never colonized, the Kingdom of Ethiopia dates back to the first millennium. King Menelik I, the legendary son of Queen Sheba and King Solomon of Israel, established his kingdom in Axum. After the rise of Islam in the seventh century, the kingdom became isolated as Arabs gained control of the Red Sea trading routes. In the 12th century, the successor of the Axumite dynasty had expanded southward, principally to Lalibela. Ethiopia's modern period (post-1855) was characterized by the process of recreating a cohesive state: by Emperor Haile Selassie; by the Marxist regime of Mengistu Haile Mariam; and, since mid-1991, by the Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF) under Meles Zenawi. The period has been dominated by recurring conflict with neighboring Eritrea, which was a province of Ethiopia until it gained independence in 1991. A tentative cease-fire ended hostilities in 2000, but the border remains undefined and tensions continue, particularly since the 2007 withdrawal of U.N. peacekeepers.

The Power of Philanthropy is a collection of stories that represent the most extraordinary individuals who are contributing at the highest levels in making a bold difference in the world. It includes stories of non-profit organizations, corporations, entrepreneurs and more who all have one thing in common: their commitment to being of service to others has made a measurable difference in the lives of many.

We hear a lot these days about the growing rich-poor gap and how it is undermining the American dream. A telling indicator is that hard work is no longer the sure-bet ticket to getting ahead it once was. Millions who struggle to make ends meet have little realistic chance of achieving a better life. And for the rest of us, it's all too easy to believe there's little we can do to mitigate this hardship. We often sigh at the magnitude of inequality, seeing personal stories of misfortune as tiny drops within a huge ocean of need. Giving Hope is an antidote to this pessimism. It outlines ways that your giving can offer second chances to Americans who have dim prospects for moving their lives forward without outside help. Its powerful stories of personal transformation illustrate how giving can dramatically improve the lives of those experiencing hard times, enabling them to embark on a path toward success. This timely book offers tips about where to donate so that you can give gifts that keep on giving. It identifies 75 nonprofits from coast to coast that efficiently use their donations and have track records of creating access to housing, employment, and educational opportunities. Each of us has the power to help people in need achieve successes that would be unimaginable were it not for the unsung work of so many nonprofits across the U.S. Supporting these nonprofits isn't only the right thing to do; it's also a wise investment. Economists estimate that every dollar spent on providing an enriched early childhood education to those who can't afford one saves at least $13 in the long run. More kids grow up with the skills needed to become productive contributors to society. Consequently, there is less need to spend on crime prevention, imprisonment, special education, public assistance, and health care. Whereas several other books identify ways charity can transform the lives of people living in developing countries, Giving Hope is the first to outline specific ways personal giving can restore the American dream. This practical guide is for those who make relatively modest donations of money or time and who want to know that their giving is having an impact. Even small donations can significantly improve the lives of those experiencing hard times. Although the charities chronicled in this book are instrumental in helping needy people turn their lives around, these organizations rarely get the exposure they deserve. They're small and lack the resources to do the sort of publicity that would enable you to know about them already.

Lucrative employment beckons, but they donate their summer vacations to work in developing nations around the world. They work as professional consultants, peers to the top executives in their client organizations, and, for these organizations, the work is critical. The clients receive top-notch professional assistance, and the students have an experience not available in any classroom. They are a new breed of young professional.
I was the same five-foot five-inch girl that arrived on June 5, barring a tan, a birthday, and maybe a few pounds. But I had grown. So tall.
- Hermona Tamrat, Peru 2012
"Do you believe you really made a difference ..." a radio interviewer ... asked me. I responded, "Yes, I do ... but I believe it made more of an impact in my life. It gave me confidence and helped me believe in myself. It helped me believe that I could do something big."
- Adrienne White, Ghana 2008
The volunteering experience has made me realize that, while I may not be able to completely change the world with my actions, I am able to do small things that make a difference. I hope to change the world - one step at a time.
- Yixin Liu, Palau 2009
I think I'll be volunteering for the rest of my life. I guess you can take the girl out of Peace Corps, but you can't take the Peace Corps out of the girl
- Kathryn (Kayt) Dickens, Ghana 2008
I don't take for granted the opportunities I've had in life. I consider myself very fortunate. I benefited from my family, and I am very grateful for the values and culture they passed on to me. So I think that someone like me, privileged to attend some of the best schools in the United States, has an obligation to contribute to the political, social and economic improvement of developing countries in Africa.
- Alimou Bah, Rwanda 2011
Alex Hills is Distinguished Service Professor at Carnegie Mellon University. He has found ways to teach and encourage a new generation of young professionals to help solve problems of poverty, health and other ills that face the world. Working with his colleague, Professor Joseph Mertz, he advises and mentors students serving as consultants in developing nations. Dr. Hills has also written about the early days of Wi-Fi technology in his book Wi-Fi and the Bad Boys of Radio.

This book is about the invaluable contribution of charities and humanitarians in our world, the benevolence of the majority, and the atrocities of a (very small) minority. Mankind's difficulties often stem from natural disasters, including terrible weather conditions creating human misery. The tsunami and the famine in Ethiopia are typical examples. The other difficulties that have beset humanity from time immemorial are man-made, like wars, slavery, and pogroms. We also have dictatorships, pariah states, and police states, which do not seek to serve their people and alienate the international community. The people in these places become outcasts, despite genuine and determined efforts by others to bring them into the fold. In any society, we see the destructive effects of misunderstanding, greed, envy, hatred, and discrimination. Senseless acts of individual barbarism also pose a problem. Governments, democratic or otherwise, are installed with all the natural and human resources, as well as the goodwill of the global community, to serve and, where necessary, manage the difficulties of the people. History and current affairs indicate that no government is capable of delivering utopia to its people - even those unhampered by ideology, political sensitivities, self-interest, and retribution. Mankind's difficulties are ever so complex. Invariably, the void left has to be managed for mankind to have a life worth living. "Nature abhors a vacuum," so says the adage. Political stalwarts like Abraham Lincoln and courageous clergymen William Wilberforce rise to the fore. This pious hegemony is ably supported by charities, humanitarians, and ordinary individuals who have shown courage and compassion and the willingness to save and improve lives. Charities continue to make the difference. The courage and compassion of Lincoln, Wilberforce, Nightingale, and Mother Teresa may be unsurpassed, but Providence will continue to provide heroes and heroines for humanity.