December was a good month for humanitarian organization A Better World which took in about $280,000 in donations.
“In the last 10 days, we have received close to $140,000,” said co-founder Eric Rajah. Large donations started flowing in around Dec. 23 and last week was “really intense,” he said on Friday.
“The economy has not affected the generosity of people. They look beyond their own needs and challenges. That’s what’s even more inspiring — people believing and giving.”
A Better World, an international development organization currently serving in nine countries, is dedicated to improving lives without regard to ethnic, political or religious association.
Rajah said most of the donors choose the country and project they want to donate towards, like building a school, digging a water well, or equipping a medical clinic.
People in Central Alberta also go on Better World trips to participate in projects.
“The reason I think why we’re getting donations is more and more community people are engaged in seeing the work that we’re doing.”
And word spreads to people who know the participants. “They may not know me, but they know someone else who has gone,” Rajah said.
About $2.1 million was raised this year. The $280,000 that came in during December will be put towards projects in 2011.
Donations in December also included $15,000 to develop a youth division of A Better World for high school and college/university students. They will manage projects and take affordable trips geared specifically for them, and will focus on one village instead of moving around so relationships can be built.
szielinski@www.reddeeradvocate.com