Wondering why big international non-governmental organizations prefer to work in Africa? We’ve got the answers to your puzzle.
Fasten your seat belt and follow us on this uneasy ride to the realm of NGOs.
1. Africa is the home of pilot projects
Why start and complete a community child support project in Canada when you could launch 20 pilot phases of such projects across 20 African nations and even receive global commendations? Prudent NGOs prefer Africa where you can launch pilot phases. It doesn’t matter whether the projects are completed. What matters is the global applause for spreading development to underserved communities.
2. African Kids are Photogenic
Do you need your photos to tell the story? African kids are at your service. You don’t even need to bother about raw data; photos of malnourished kids are enough. The photo backgrounds alone are enough to convince donors. Africans call the little ones children. NGOs call them fund-raising assets.
3. The Consistent Need for Intervention
Why build a hospital where you can train health workers to provide services to rural communities? Build a hospital? You’ve solved the problem. Train health workers without facilities or equipment? That’s the gold mine because every year, a new set of health workers must be trained. Locals say it’s not the solution. NGO says health is an area that requires intervention.
4. Africa is a fund-raising supermarket
Struggling with your fund-raising goals? You haven’t tried Africa. From hungry kids to malnourished nursing mothers, Africa has it all. One good photo, you could break your fund-raising record. And the best part? These fund-raising assets are very affordable. If it were on Amazon Prime, may just go for $5.
5. African Governments Welcome International Donors
Big NGOs prefer an environment that values cooperation and affords nonprofits the opportunity to reach under-served communities. Officials know where to find the fund-raising assets and for the NGO? Just meet the little demands of the officials and there can be a partnership to drive global development in Africa.
6. The Desire to Drive Lasting Impact
Why advocate for LGBTQ rights in America when a short video of African kids holding bottled water could unlock a $100,000 donor fund to sustain impact? The bottled water shows impact of efforts at improving the living conditions of children. Here’s the big secret: make sure the kids in the video are happy. Just their smiles and boom, impact achieved, new donor tier unlocked.
7. Increased Budget for Administration
Don’t you think it costs more to execute your NGO project in Africa than in the United Kingdom? In Africa, you need more field workers, language interpreters, trainers, advocates, endless board meetings because the problems are stubborn and the terrain, not helpful at all. So, 70% of donor funds go into boosting administrative capacity to be able to deal with the stubborn problems. As you can see, the continent already has lots of challenges we are trying to fix. Who wouldn’t support such a good cause?
In case your NGO isn’t interested in Africa, why don’t you give it a thought? Bigger nonprofits are already driving massive impact across the continent. If you truly want to make a difference, think about Africa.