We, all three of us, have come to the conclusion that charity and well-being start at home.
I live in South Africa, and in my local community alone there is a desperate need for upliftment programs. I live less than 2kms down the road from a massive informal settlement. Crime is a very big problem here, with B&E's a common occurance.
There is one man, who is quite the entrepenuer, he lives in the settlement, has started his own General store, as well as a tree-felling/garden refuse removal business.
Education
Day care centers would be set up for young children who are often left at home alone, or in the care of unsuitable carers. The DC's would be staffed by qualified teachers, so that children would recieve the basic skills needed, the ones that kids learn at young ages.
A school for children, catering to ages 6 - 16, where a host of subjects would be taught, things that will benefit: Literacy, Communication Skills, Computer Literacy, Practical skills like cooking, pottery, agriculture (on a small basis), First Aid, etc...
Night Classes for adults who have to work during the day, which would teach all the above.
The schools would be staffed by qualified teachers - retired - as there is a shortage of good teachers.
Clinics
There is only one clinic in the area, and some people have to take a whole day off work, just to go to the clinic. I would love to have a 24hour clinic running all the time, every day of the week. Staffed by qualified nurses and doctors, including a trauma unit, x-ray facilities, blood lab and a dispencery.
I would also promote family planning.
In addition I would set up Thoroughbred Sanctuaries across the country. Where retired/broken down racehorses can be sent. A place where they will be looked after for the rest of their days, and where they can be adopted (sort of like the SPCA), but it wouldn't matter if they not adopted, because they would have a home there for the rest of their lives.
As part of this initiative I'd also do clinics in the rural areas where horses and donkeys are an intrigal part of life, educating their owners in proper care. these clinics would be held every 3 months, because thats how often a horse/donkey needs to be dewormed. I'd have qualified farriers teach locals about correct hoof care, and vets that would come and treat wounds, illnesses, and give vaccines - especially African Horse Sickness which is a HUGE problem here, and can lead to a particularly nasty death.
I would provide a constant aid to the SPCA who does a marvelous job, but is severely under-funded.
My mom and sister would love to have a cat and dog sanctuary, so I would help them set that up too.
The idea behind the clinics is that the people become educated enough, to continue these initiatives - ultimately - without my aid...of course I would keep my finger on the pulse, so to speak
I believe that education is the root of it all, if good ethics, a sense of pride, is instilled from a young age, this will continue into adulthood, when those things can be passed to younger generations.
This may seem narrow-minded, or perhaps selfish, when there is so much bad stuff happening in the world, but I truly believe that one must sort out the problems at home before taking on the rest of the world. If one person, can pass pride, education, and a sense of well being onto their neighbour, who will pass it on to their neighbour, then it wont be too long before it passes to the rest of the world.
