Ways to Build a Better World: Recent Episodes
Benjamin Western
Ways to Build a Better World is an open-minded exploration of we use our gifts to build a more kind, equitable and sustainable world.
In this episode I present a case for donating your hard earned money to trailblazing grassroot projects. I'm not presenting a case against big NGOs, rather, I am advocating for the support of innovative non-profits that have the agility to deliver the most effective solutions during a time of crisis and beyond. Right now, the people of the Ukraine, Yemen, Syria, and sadly so many more, need our support. At the end of the episode I share four grassroot projects currently working across multiple refugee crises, and how you can support them (also listed below). Thanks for being here.
Indigo Volunteers: https://www.indigovolunteers.org/
Hope and Aid Direct: https://www.hopeandaiddirect.org.uk/
Cry in the Dark: https://www.cryinthedark.org/
Pads4Refugees: https://pads4refugees.org/
Effective Aultruism https://www.effectivealtruism.org/?gclid=CjwKCAiAvaGRBhBlEiwAiY-yMNAT__ZnGuMJ20knepLTl1fFcr6bU4ibXOskwP07M0yYNNxmKYTomxoCTrcQAvD_BwE
Show notes: 1:06 - Intro 3:13 - Stories from a refugee crisis 6:40 - Community and resilience in a crisis 7:38 - This isn't a criticism of big NGOs 9:20 - The positive observable behaviours of grassroots 16:22 - The agility of small versus large organisations 17:50 - The Dirty Girls of Lesvos (innovative blanket distribution) 21:52 - Grassroot projects you can support today
Charles Storer was part of creating Hope and Aid Direct in response to the devastating effects of the late 90s Balkans war. Since 1998, they have been taking humanitarian aid to innocent, displaced people in war-torn countries. More than twenty years on, Chas and his amazing wife Bev continue to take convoys of humanitarian aid with a team of loyal volunteers. To date Hope & Aid Direct have distributed 2,081 tonnes of aid delivered to more than 200,000 beneficiaries, with 90% of that aid being sustainable, surplus stock from bulk suppliers. We delve into the political situation in Europe and Syria, how to get around (or go through) political obstacles, the ability to spin multiple plates at once, and switching from a career in banking to a career as a humanitarian.