Repost: Best ways to give to poor

The following post by Bruce Wydick (Economics Prof at USF) is from World Bank's blog, but the article was originally written in Christianity Today. The question is basically, what is the most cost-effective way to positively impact the poor? Professionals rate these activities in order or most to least effective:

1. Provide clean water
2. De-worming treatments
3. Bed nets
4. Child sponsorship
5. Efficient stoves
6. Micro finance
7. Reparative surgeries
8. Farm animal donation
9. Libraries
10. Fair Trade Coffee
11. Laptops for kids....the list goes on

Point is, Fair Trade coffee is at the bottom. And this is a grave issue in my opinion. Not that I disagree entirely - but because Fair-Trade coffee is entirely different than the other 10 ways to help the poor. Can you guess why?

Only Fair Trade requires something of the poor. Ok, you think, that is ridiculous, we are to help the poor, not the other way around! The thing that Fair Trade has the power to do is EMPOWER the poor in a way that other interventions don't.

PAC, the organization I interned with in Nicaragua takes it a step further than Fair Trade. They build strong relationships with their farmers, and provide consistently higher prices through a simplified supply chain, good marketing, and higher quality coffee. They invite farmers to improve the quality and quantity of their product, and gives them access to tools (microfinance, technical assistance, etc.) to make it possible.

Poverty is complex, and PAC has found a multifacted approach that has measurable results.

And now, a picture so that people at least read a few words of the blog :)

 Hugo and I checking out a huge selection of cheeses in Toulouse, France. I wish Newton had specialty cheese like this...I've heard rumors that a local dairyman Jason might start up - if he makes artisan swiss cheese, I will buy it!