How would you design the perfect third-world charity?

Question

I have the chance to bring in significant reform to a student run charity in my medical school. Currently, it sends senior medical students off to third-world hospitals for a 4-6 week elective, and they bring a check with them for the institution they are going, for supplies, etc.

However it's very poorly run - for example, by simply restructuring their fundraising efforts I can realistically triple their annual fundraising to about $150,000.

There's also no accountability - the checks are made out to the student bringing the money, and there're no phonecalls etc to see if money was received.

So my question is - if you were designing this operation from the ground-up, how would you do it? I envisage a group based on NGO-style workings (although obviously not that advanced) which (A) sends more money where it is needed, and (B) places students where they could be of most use, not where they simply wish to go.

So, how would you design such a charity?

Answer 1

You have to be mindful of who is getting the money. Most third world countries have no accountability when it comes to money coming in even when ear-marked for a specific project.

You need a coordinator in the countries you will be working in that can be trusted to handle the funds and supplies coming in.

Studies need to be done to find out where the biggest need is and what that need is. Africa has a huge HIV/AIDS problem but they also have quite a bit of money and resources going in to handle those needs.

Some of the countries that still have land mines I would think have a need for help. The areas where there is a constant civil war of some type going on. Countries with large refugee camps such as Dafur need medical help.

Accountablility is the biggest obstacle and make sure you are getting the biggest bang for your buck and the greater good.

If there was a way to procure medical equipment that is out dated by U.S. standards to send to these places. I had a bone stimulator after one of my back surgeries, it had been paid for by insurance and I no longer needed it and it was just taking up space. I tried to donate it to a local health clinic they did not want it. The company who provided it to me did not want it because it was "outdated." I ended up selling it on ebay to a vet who uses them on his horses.

A hospital that was virtually demolished in Katrina donated all their usable equipment to clinics in Tibet.

Good luck. Keep us posted on the progress.