I would reluctantly recommend holding off on World Vision. I worked for NGOs during my first four years out of college. The private joke among humanitarian workers in Rwanda at the time was “Blurred Vision” were a bunch of aggressive bible-thumpers who tried to convert people who were already Christians — only they weren’t the “right kind” of Christian.

I kept in touch with a few people over the years, and the topic has come up now and then, so I don’t think they have changed their views. While they often are technically sound in their execution of relief and development projects, there is that other unsavory aspect to their service — which is to “minister” to people and tell them that their faith is really no adequate.

There are, on the other hand, very capable NGOs — both secular and faith based — to which Christians can give. Lutheran World Federation is one…an ecumenical organization run by the World Council of Churches. There is also Catholic Relief Services, a top notch organization with a good reputation. Christian Aid is also a good organization. None of these organizations are primarily focused on evangelism, although they are faith-based organizations. And there are very few creepy extremist types working for them — something I cannot say about World Vision. (Remind me to tell you a story about an interview I had with them sometime. They offered me the job, but I refused.) They are instead focused on meeting the needs of the people they are serving.

OXFAM is an excellent organization. Everyone I have ever met who worked there has been absolutely fantastic. Priorities are in the right place. All branches of OXFAM are excellent — UK, US, AU and etc. There are many, many others. If anyone needs a rundown on good NGOs out there, I can give region-specific information.

In addition, I encourage those with fungible skills to volunteer for a month or more at some point — whether in emergency humanitarian operations, basic relief work, or development work. It can be as simple as building a school or digging a well. It can be as complicated as designing primary school curricula, biodynamic agriculture and sustainable irrigation schemes, or microfinance seed funds. Or even domestic and international marketing programs for local products.

We all have more to give than we realize. The opportunities are endless, as are the learning opportunities.

Cheers,
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