Makaria's Blog: How to Be a Humanitarian: No Excuses Needed

This is a list I put together for a local Relief Society Enrichment night on Humanitarian Aid. Thought I'd share it here as well. Some of the tips are based on local organizations and resources, but there are plenty that apply to those living outside of the DC area.

How to Be a Humanitarian without Spending Money
You don't need to drop some serious dough in order to make a serious impact.

-Donate used women's clothes and shoes to Art for Humanity (635 South 25th Street) a local nonprofit that supports communities in Honduras.

-Click on thehungersite.com each day (and its sister sites -- breast cancer, literacy, rain forest, child health, and animal rescue). Each day you click on their sites, their supporters make an additional donation.

-Do you have fabric or craft supplies? One idea is to use some good condition material from clothes you're ready to get rid of. You can use a t-shirt to make a bag or tote, or a sock to make a sock monkey. This website has really simple patterns and craft ideas for how you can make toys and dolls for sick children.

-Become a Card Angel for a child or adult undergoing chemotherapy. Card Angels send a card or letter to their assigned recipient at least once a week, offering encouragement, support, and diversion during a difficult time. Sign up at chemoangels.net.

-At onlinevolunteering.org, the UN Volunteer Program matches humanitarian organizations and UN agencies with specific short-term needs with volunteers. All these assignments can be done with just your computer. You can use your research, writing, web design, illustration, editing, or language translation skills to help an international non-profit. This is an awesome way to experience working in the development field and can help you develop real skills or even get published.

-OK, so this technically does cost money. But if you need to buy a gift for someone who already has everything (think of grandparents, bosses, rich friends), buy them something that benefits others. Go to networkforgood.org to customize a Gift Basket that supports a variety of causes. Or shop for actual gifts at a store that supports global causes (Ten Thousand Villages or GreaterGood.com). You're going to be spending money anyway, so make an impact.

-Knitting and crocheting for charity. Check out woolworks.org or dailyknitter.com for dozens of list of projects that would love you to knit or crochet goods for donation. Think newborn baby hats, afghan squares for refugees, leprosy bandages, etc. You don't have to be a good knitter to make many of these items!

How to Be a Humanitarian without Spending Time
Don't let a hectic schedule keep you from doing good.

-Do you have a computer? Link up with the World Community Grid and whenever your computer is idle it will actually be able to conduct computations for humanitarian organizations. Hard to explain, but it's simple and free. This is supported by IBM and was developed by UC Berkeley and the National Science Foundation.

-Download the Good Search internet search tool and they will donate money to a charity of your choice every time you search the net.

-If you travel frequently, or know someone who does, make sure to take home all the unopened toiletries from the hotel. These small shampoos, toothbrushes, and lotions are very much appreciated by local shelters and safe homes.

-Do you have a hotmail account? Or do you use Windows Live Messenger to chat? If so, you can set up your account so Microsoft will donate to a charity every time you send an email or a message. Just go to im.live.com.

-Become a banker. Through Kiva you literally become a microfinance banker by investing in someone's small business in countries around the world. Not only do you help give someone the credit they need to generate an income, but you actually get repaid your original investment in 6 to 12 months!

How to Be a Humanitarian with a Short Attention Span
For the commitment-phobic, these are some opportunities to do your part here and there, on your own terms.

-Human Rights Watch Online Action Center tells you about human rights issues that you can address right now. They even have an on-line email form that helps you create a message to a policy maker and send it right from your computer.

-Amnesty International USA has an action center similar to Human Rights Watch. Email decision-makers directly from their website.

-Freerice.com is a free on-line vocabulary game that donates 20 grains of rice to the World Food Program each time you get a correct answer. The difficulty level self-adjusts as you play, so you can get some really hard words to challenge you. Study for the GRE while making a contribution! Warning: it?s addictive!

-Donate blood. Don't even think about it -- just go and do it! Search for a blood drive today at givelife.org.

-Go to spreadthesharing.com and write a quick account of a time you shared something. Country Crock will donate one meal to America?s Second Harvest for each story of sharing submitted.

-At letssaythanks.com you can send a message of support to our military troops. In less than five minutes you can pick out a postcard, add your personal message, and arrange for it to be printed and sent cost-free to US troops abroad. Paid for by Xerox.

How to Be a Selfish Humanitarian
Get your needs met while meeting the needs of others!

-Dog and cat lovers: If your current living arrangement means you can?t have an at-home pet, get your fix of furry fun by volunteering at a Petco or PetSmart adoption day. They take place usually on Saturdays and for 3-4 hours you get all the cuddles you want from pets seeking new homes.

-Want to get a workout while volunteering at the same time? Try volunteering with an athletic-based organization. The Arlington County Adaptive Aquatics class needs volunteers to help children and adults with disabilities learn swimming skills. Get in shape and make a difference.

Great Resources to find an opportunity that suits your time and energy level: