Did you know that it only costs $12,000 to build a primary school in Namibia, Africa, and only $6,000 to build a kindergarten in Borneo, Malaysia? Now, what if I told you, in most of these poverty stricken countries, $30 can provide a child three nourishing meals a day, proper education and medical care for one full month? Can you afford to help? How do you spend your $30, in a single day?

Celebrating Nat's birthday.

Celebrating Char's birthday.

My familiarity with these numbers derives from reviewing detailed budget analysis for development projects—while fulfilling my role as one of the board of directors for Global Reach Organization (GRO). GRO is a registered non-profit organization assisting disadvantaged communities in developing countries to implement development projects that are sustainable, environmentally friendly, and that improve living conditions for the majority, through the provision of necessary infrastructure and improve access to education, clean water and healthcare.

Temporary structure and office/storage building of school.

Internal classroom conditions.

My inspiration to help establish GRO comes from Lasi, one of my sponsored children in Africa. Throughout the sponsorship, Lasi and I have stayed in touch by mail every so often. However, two years ago, she sent me a more formal letter expressing her deepest gratitude for my sponsorship of $30 a month, since 1994 (when she was only five years of age). The funds have raised her well—she's completed school and was working. Lasi and her family have become self-sufficient and in turn, were able to contribute to help their community. They no longer needed my help. Instead, I was kindly led to sponsor four year old Doreen. This was truly an inspiring moment for all of us.

Students in the classroom.

Photo of the team and a previously completed school.

Sadly, many people think of the world as a compartmentalized entity that is made up of various countries. Some of these countries are rich, some poor. Some are over populated, and some under populated. Some are rich with natural resources, others are barren and infertile. However, where we as individuals fit into this scheme is a luck of the draw. If you were born in a region of the world that happens to be rich with resources, or economically prosperous, you're more likely to not worry about where to go for food, what disease you may die of tomorrow, or who will take care of you when you are sick.

The reality is that we are all inhabitants of this single place called earth, and there is no reason why one person arbitrarily born in one country should live in poverty, while others born in another country live a relatively lavish lifestyle.

Painted and decorated by the team.

At one of my favourite Italian restaurants in Vancouver.

Imagine for a moment...if the world was one country. Then imagine that the world president started allocating land to all the citizens. How would you feel if you were randomly given a piece of land which turned out to be a desert barren of life, while your next door neighbor ended up on top of a gold mine? Obviously you would think it was unfair, right? Well then imagine if your rich neighbor started using their wealth and influence to make your life even more difficult by taking what little resources you had, and polluting your environment. That is exactly what happens today between developed and undeveloped countries!

It is a fact that rich nations would not be wealthy if there were not poor nations to support us. We could not possibly afford our products if it wasn't for people working in factories for less than $1 per day, nor could we afford to feed ourselves if it wasn't for the billions of people farming in developing countries for less than $300 per year. We would not be able to buy prawns if it wasn't for the tens of thousands of prawn farms in south east Asia and south America—as there is no way developed societies would allow this environmentally damaging practice to take place in our own backyard. Examples like these are endless, but they show that the developed world's standard of living, for the most part, is supported by the demise of other's.

Still celebrating Nat's birthday.

Enjoying a home cooked meal.

It is not one person that created the divide between the developed world and the developing world, nor can one person fix the issues. Therefore, we as 'global citizens' all have a social and moral obligation to help each other to enable a safe and healthy life for all. Keep this in mind as you celebrate the upcoming holiday season. Be sure to donate to a charity of your choice. After all, what does thirty bucks mean to you? A cheap sweater? Five Starbucks coffee? Well, for the less fortunate, it means much more; it means a chance for health and education, hope for the future and a great reason to live.

If you wish to make a contribution to Global Reach Organization and its development projects in undeveloped countries, or if you have any other inquiries, please contact penny@phangenterprises.com. Tax receipts will be issued accordingly. Thank you for supporting the joy of giving. May your new year be blessed with great tidings. Have a wonderful holiday season!