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The GBA Distinction
Micro-enterprise empowerment means the ability to go to school for many children in the developing world
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From time to time I am asked to provide GBA partners with additional information in regard to the distinctiveness of GBA. While many of you may have supported our efforts for years, here, in a nutshell, is information to pass along to your friends and family regarding our priorities and goals as an organization which make us unique and a good return on your charitable investment.
Who is GBA? GBA was founded in 2001 with the goal of pioneering a new paradigm in relation to the old methodology of relief and development work - empowering nationals to help themselves through business development.
What is GBA’s Mission? GBA exists to mobilize professionals in order to bring business development and humanitarian relief to the world’s most desperate communities. We accomplish this by helping the developing world learn to help themselves through micro-business investments and empowerment opportunities. In addition, we link Western professionals with the needs of the developing world in order to utilize their God-given skills and to build capacity in the world’s poor. Finally, in areas of desperate crisis where empowerment support is not enough, we provide immediate humanitarian assistance.
What does GBA hold as core values? First, all men are created in the image of the Creator and are therefore our brothers and sisters, worthy of respect, compassion, and assistance. Second, GBA desires to be honorable in all of our undertakings. And finally, we strive to help the world’s most desperate communities, speaking up and assisting those who lack the capacity to assist themselves.
Why is GBA’s methodology different from others, and why is it needed? Tradition tells us that because of their poverty, the developing world is incapable of helping themselves – we must do the work for them! GBA believes that given the right tools, education, and opportunities; millions of men and women throughout the developing world are eager to try and improve their lives and provide for their families through hard work.
What the developing world really needs is a hand-up, not a hand-out. This is a new paradigm which we call Enterprise Relief™.
GBA empowers families, providing Enterprise Relief™ for the poor and needy.
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Why is Enterprise Relief needed? First, it is efficient and follows the age-old adage of “teaching a man to fish....” Second, it saves donation dollars by stretching already limited charitable giving. Third, Enterprise Relief is pioneering in that it shows the international community that there are alternatives to the hand-out methodology of helping the world’s poor. And finally, and of most importance, it respects the value of human initiative in every man and woman.
If you are not already partnering with us in this significant work, will you consider becoming involved in GBA as what we call an “Adventure capitalist”? There are many ways that you can participate in our efforts. You can take part in a future developing world business teaching opportunity, or, assume leadership for the funding of a new micro-lending venture in Sudan. You might offer to host a GBA speaking event, what we call a micro-power lunch, in your area. Or perhaps you would simply like to commit to becoming more involved financially in the support of our efforts.
However you choose to become involved in GBA, we greatly appreciate your partnership and your desire to bring significant change to the developing world. Please do not hesitate to contact me directly if I can be of any assistance to you as we partner together. And help us help you spread the word about Enterprise Relief to others: Join us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.
Douglas Mann
President, GBA
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