As African Well Fund nears the $1 million fundraising mark, we’ve asked supporters to share their stories of why they give. In this installment, Diane Yoder, board vice chairman, shares her reasons why.
Reflecting on the question, “Why do you give?” I find my answer now is the same as it was nine years ago when I first became involved with AWF–because too many people in Africa lack access to clean water and sanitation. Nearly 10 years later, it astounds me that this is still the case. With all the resources and marvels of technology available in the 21st century, it is inexcusable that everyone on the planet does not have access to this most basic need. Clean water is indeed a human right.
I became involved in AWF because I wanted to actively work to help right this wrong. It is easy to feel overwhelmed and helpless when faced with intransigent poverty but I refuse let this bow me into inaction. I really do believe it is a solvable problem, not some pie-in-the-sky utopian vision. I am blessed with abundant resources in my life; one of these resources is time. If I can use my time not only to help others to gain access to clean water and sanitation, but also to help provide a vehicle for others who want to help, then I feel as if I am making substantive use of my good fortune.
AWF board member vice chairman Diane Yoder (second from the left) poses with fellow board member Angela Martens (far left) and (from left to right) Angelique Kidjo, singer and founder of the Batonga Foundation, Peter Persell, former Africare vice president of operations, and Mary Louise Cohen, Batonga Foundation president and founding board member, at last fall’s Africare gala.
AWF enables me to be an active participant in the quest to alleviate the daily hardships faced by too many people in our world today. It may be a small contribution, but AWF has shown that small contributions can be combined into a life-changing force.
If you’d like to tell African Well Fund why you give, please e-mail info@africanwellfund.org. To make a donation to support future African Well Fund projects, please click here.
