There are many different ways that you can direct your donation. The following are practical items, needed by thousands of people around the world. By purchasing these items you know exactly what is done with your gift and how it will affect the people that receive these gifts.
A regular part of A Better World's budget goes towards the replacement of mattresses and bedding in hostels and orphanages. These regular replacements provide for better health and comfort for the children. Many cannot afford the necessary bedding on a regular basis. This may be a small thing for us but to the children it is a special gift we have seen the big smiles when the trucks unload new mattresses.
Cost: $25.00 per bed
Mosquito Nets
Malaria kills more than 1 million people a year with 90% of these deaths occurring in Sub-Saharan Africa. It is the leading cause of death among African children, where one child in four does not live to see his or her fifth birthday. Campaigns focused on providing mosquito nets play a vital role in achieving the United Nations Millennium Development Goal of reducing child mortality by two-thirds by 2015.
Cost: $10.00 per net
School Fees, Room and Board
In some developing countries primary education is free for all children. If the child passes the entrance exam into secondary school (grade 9), then they are able to complete secondary school and enter University. Most students have to be away from home and are required to pay for room and board.
Cost: $600.00 per child per year.
School Uniforms
The children are required to wear a uniform to school everyday. Many can only afford one set. Working with the school we identify the needs and provide for uniforms for the children.
Cost: $45.00 per child per year
Solar Flashlights
These lights promote children's education by providing light in the home so they can study and read. The sun sets at around 6:00 pm everyday, so the flashlight program provides for more useful hours in the day. The flashlights also offer protection from snakes and other reptiles as adults walk back from work at night.
Cost: $20 per flashlight, $75 per home or $600 per community
Textbooks
Our textbook programs main focus is to increase the ratio of textbooks in the classroom. The present rate is one textbook per 5 children. Our goal is to see two textbooks per five children, and in addition we provide supplies and teaching aids.
Cost: $12.00 per child per year or $360 per classroom per year
Water Harvesting System
In most of the developing world, local sources of clean water are difficult to access. Women and children have to travel many kilometers everyday to access water from streams and ponds. A simple water harvesting system can provide clean drinking water, eliminating the need for daily water trips and allowing the women to do other tasks.
Cost: $500 per unit
Wheelchairs
Many disabled children and adults who are not able to obtain the necessary surgery and physiotherapy, will require wheelchairs to get them off the ground and become mobile.
Meaningful Gifts
