Main Goal of Social Activist Organization - Essay Example

Social activism CARE CARE, as a social activist organization appeals to me for the following reasons: Lobbies for gender equality through women empowerment Provide a platform for individuals to pool their financial resources and professional skills to aid women living in abject poverty Directs its efforts towards alleviating poverty Provides humanitarian aid in regions plagued with humanitarian crisis In my opinion, an organization that is able to identify a need and provide sustainable solutions mirrors people’s capacity to empathize with those in need. The main goal of CARE is to provide integral services to individuals residing in the poorest communities via women empowerment, provision of disaster relief efforts during humanitarian crisis, health and education services. Founded in 1945 by the uniting of 22 US based organizations, CARE sought to provide lifesaving CARE Packages to those adversely affected by World War II. Former President Harry S. Truman endorsed the organizations’ noble effort, and in 1946, 20,000 packaged arrived in France at the Port of Le Havre. CARE chose to phase out the packages system replacing it with long-term projects, which sought to minimize global poverty. CARE targeted women living in deplorable conditions around the world operating under the presumption that empowered women had the power to influence their families and community positively. Community-based efforts sought to provide a basic education, curb spread of HIV/AIDS, increase community’s access to clean water and sanitation services, multiply economic opportunities, safeguard natural resources and provide disaster relief efforts in areas afflicted with humanitarian crisis. CARE provides various platforms for individuals interested in getting involved with its activism endeavors. Firstly, individuals can sign petitions endorsed by CARE aimed at lobbying for the organization’s primary agendas. In addition, individuals can make financial contributions to the organization, which funds different projects. Finally, individuals can become members of the CARE Action Network (CAN), which bestows upon them the mandate to communicate with their legislators about integral issues pertaining to global poverty reduction. CARE’s efforts address a wide range of topics covered in the course, which include global poverty, gender inequality, and disaster relief. Through the provision of basic education facilities and improving access to water and sanitation in poor regions, CARE plays a pivotal role in poverty reduction. In addition, CARE empowers women by giving them access to financial resources and advice on running small-scale enterprises that are beneficial to the community. Women empowerment is the first step towards eradicating pervasive gender inequality. CARE also provides disaster relief in regions ravaged by intrastate (civil) or interstate conflicts. Poverty is the root cause of many social problems. As an organization that directs its efforts towards the alleviation of poverty, CARE plays a pivotal role in reducing people’s suffering. In addition, the organization raises awareness about the plight of women living in deplorable conditions. By enlisting the help of everyday citizens, the organization continues to pool financial resources used to fund its different projects. As a result, regular citizens are able to take a proactive role in minimizing people’s suffering resulting from abject poverty. Doctors without Borders/ Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) As the name suggests, Doctors without Borders represents a social activism organization that focuses on the provision of medical care around the globe regardless of one’s gender, race, political affiliation and religious doctrine. This organization appeals to me because it respects each human’s inherent right to life. By providing medical aid to people, denied access to medical interventions gives them a new lease on life. In my opinion, affiliates of this organization best exemplify the core aspects of humanity. The main goal of the organization is the provision of emergency medical care to individuals regardless of socially constructed, polarizing attributes such as race, ethnicity, political affiliation, religion or gender. Officially launched in 1971, Doctor without Borders comprised of 300 volunteers inclusive of the 13 founding members referred to as Biafrans. The latter represented a group of forward thinkers interested in starting a global emergency medical response unit specialized in triage medicine, war surgery, public health and education in the regions they visited. The first mission was in 1972, in Nicaragua’s capital city where an earthquake had destroyed the better part of the city resulting in many fatalities. In 1978, affiliates voted to create a more structured organization, a decision opposed by some founding members who wanted MSF to remain a group consisting of guerilla doctors. Presently, MSF is operational in over 70 countries around the globe. Unfortunately, membership is restricted to medical professionals subjected to rigorous vetting and willing to commit to the organization for a period not less than nine months. However, MSF is open to financial contributions made by either an individual or a group or organization. It also hosts fundraisers, which are extensively publicized encouraging maximum participation from all interested parties. As an incentive, the MSF grants its major donors access to special events, briefings, and staff members for questioning. The organization addresses the topic of public health on a global scale. Public health is a major concern for all governments. Unfortunately, access to health care is a privilege to those who can afford it. During conflicts, parties in power might choose to withhold health care services from those who oppose them. Such circumstances endanger the lives of many innocent civilians. Organizations such as Doctors without Borders refrain from discriminating against anyone; therefore, all have access to the health care services they provide. In addition, emergency medical response is a critical part of disaster management. More often than not, humanitarian organizations focus on providing basic amenities such as food and shelter to victims. These organizations have very few medically trained practitioners on call. Therefore, having an organization exclusively staffed with medically trained practitioners facilitates the provision emergency medical aid to disaster victims. The provision of medical aid to people helps in the sustenance of life. By reading literature pertaining to MSF and its operations, it is apparent that the organization serves a crucial function. The fact that the organization does not discriminate or charge for its services makes medical aid accessible. Works Cited CARE. CARE. 2013. http://www.care.org/get-involved/advocacy/care-action-network. 13 June 2014. MSF. Doctors without Borders/ Medecins Sans Frontieres. n.d. http://www.doctorswithoutborders.org/aboutus/history-and-principles. 14 June 2014. Read More