End of Year Appeal from GRA's President

Social, political and economic inequality – here in the US and all over the world – has come to the forefront of human consciousness these days in a scale not experienced for a very long time.  This is a hopeful sign, but protesting the status quo is not enough.  We must move increasingly in the direction of active exploration and implementation of creative solutions to the problems that beset us.
 
The challenges facing us may be complex, but simple solutions abound.  And with love as our guide, success is assured.

With your support, Global Resource Alliance has been exploring simple, natural solutions to the life and death challenges faced by poor, rural East African communities for the past nine years – challenges like hunger, lack of access to clean water, disease and lack of educational opportunities.  Our projects in permaculture, water resource development, support for orphans and alternative healthcare have touched the lives of many thousands, strengthened communities, enhanced the environment and drawn volunteers from all over the world.

It’s a well worn fundraising cliché to say that “your help is needed now more than ever”.  Unfortunately, it’s is also very true.  The world is one, and the economic woes facing the world’s richest nations quickly find their way to even the poorest of the planet’s villages – communities with their backs against the wall and nowhere else to go.

To make matters worse, in a time of unprecedented need, many sources of support are drying up.  Service organizations all over the world are feeling the squeeze, and GRA is not exempt.  Our two largest grant providers will not be funding any programs in 2012.  One had to close down completely, and the other is shifting their funding priorities to other geographical areas.  Their generosity and enthusiasm will be greatly missed.

On the bright side, GRA has become even more focused on developing self-sustaining programs that don’t rely exclusively on outside support.  For example:Our herbal remedies for malaria, diarrhea and other common ailments have been approved by the Tanzanian FDA and are now being marketed in local exhibitions.

• We’ve begun intensive production of moringa oleifera, the “superfood of the developing world”, for export to growing markets in the United States and Europe.
• The pricing of our community wells has been adjusted to be financially self-sustaining.
• In conjunction with WishWorks, a non-profit organization in Ojai committed to the support of teachers, school supplies are being provided on a regular monthly basis to two Kinesi Village primary schools through funds generated by the sale of beautiful, hand woven baskets produced by a group of elderly women in Musoma.
• Our tree-planting project in Kinesi Village has expanded to over 75,000 trees per year, funded by a large corporation (Delloitte) wishing to offset their carbon emissions and improve the world’s environment.

Of course, some projects generate no immediate financial return and are simply “labors of love” – like the orphans programs we run in Musoma and Kinesi Village.  

Rome wasn’t built in a day, nor was even the smallest of the communities we serve, so your continued support is greatly appreciated as we work toward enhanced sustainability in these trying times.  

Thanks again for your generous past support!  

Many Blessings for the Holiday Seasons,

Lyn Hebenstreit
President, Global Resource Alliance

Ps  Donations received before January 31, 2012 will qualify for our $50.000 year-end matching grant.