I recently returned from a compassion trip to Haiti with Convoy of Hope. It was an eye-opening trip in many ways.
There were 15 of us, including three Convoy staff and a videographer to document the trip.
Our goal was to learn more about Convoy of Hope while observing how the organization helps those in need.
Founded by brothers Hal, Dave and Steve Donaldson in 1994 as a faith-based, international humanitarian-relief organization, Convoy of Hope’s goal is to provide help and hope to those who are impoverished, hungry and hurting. In 2013, nearly 8 million people were served by the organization, and 147,000 children are enrolled in the Children’s Feeding Initiative. Over 43,000 volunteers helped the cause last year. The organization has made a large global impact in a short amount of time.
Having worked in the nonprofit industry since 1990, I am particularly impressed with several things about Convoy. The first of which is how well organized they are down to the smallest details. Ninety percent of its resources go to meet human need. You can’t do that without an impressive amount of organization.
When I arrived at the large guarded warehouse in Haiti where food and supplies are stored and saw the enormity of it, it occurred to me the magnitude of organization that has to take place to receive donations, translate them into product, safely get them to and across Haiti, store them, guard them and get them to the intended people. As I walked around the warehouse, I never saw the name Convoy of Hope one time. I saw many other names of their partners on the boxes stacked floor to ceiling, but never one with the Convoy logo.
Jaimie Trussell, development director and our team leader, said the absence of name recognition is part of Convoy’s cultural value. The organization values its partners and would rather spotlight those helping with their mission.
Secondly, Convoy is teaching people to be self-sustainable. They are giving a hand up, not a “hand out.” Convoy equips farmers with the skills, tools and seeds to produce life-sustaining crops.
The nonprofit also requires locals give to their own communities. The programs have brought help and hope to women around the world with job training to help empower them in their communities. Convoy of Hope brings knowledge with its compassion and resources, so others can learn to help themselves. I feel this is an integral part of a successful agency.
Finally, I noticed Convoy really has capitalized on what technology can do for giving. The organization is everywhere you look on social media – Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Vimeo and YouTube. Convoy fundraisers utilize crowdfunding and have partnered with Drew Brees and American Airlines for PSAs on flights. Comedian Stephen Colbert rallied viewers of his show to raise more than $300,000 for a Typhoon disaster Convoy responded to. In the fast-paced, digital-based life we live in today, outreach like this is imperative.
I went to Haiti and saw what a difference one agency can make. Convoy is accountable, transparent and compassionate. I served kids the one meal they would get that day. I understood what it took to get that meal there and what a difference it made. I learned about the training offered to help people help themselves.
So, if you ever want to know what to do to help the poor and powerless, ask the Donaldsons, they seem to have the right idea.
Cindy Dodson is the college scholarship/volunteer director for Boys & Girls Clubs in Springfield. She holds a bachelor’s in social work from Missouri State University and a master’s in education/human services from Drury University. Dodson can be reached at cdodson@bgclubspringfield.org.[[In-content Ad]]
