My Nonprofit Reviews

I have been a donor over 15 years and am a huge admirer of their work and their efficiency in administration and fundraising. The impact on women's lives of this surgery is so transformative that your contribution will make an immediate and huge difference to her and her family unlike most charitable contributions. The women in the countries where fistula dominates have had so little control over their lives and it is imperative to at least give them back their dignity.

As a librarian and development professional it has been my pleasure to be a proud donor to Lubuto for 10 years or more. I first learned about Lubuto before it even existed when Jane Kinney Meyer's told me of her dreams and plans for it. Since then it has been such a joy to watch as the libraries have been built and the activities they were engaged in grew and diversified. I was particularly excited about the DREAMS project and the continuing work with girls to keep them in school, out of child marriages, and AIDS-free. I also admire the Zambian language literacy, drama, and music programs. Seeing how each child is heard and appreciated is something that you don't find in all development organizations and NGOs. The Lubuto libraries do so much for vulnerable children and their communities that it is hard to focus on just one thing. I am proud to support such passionate, innovative staff and volunteers and hope to do so for many years.

I have followed Lubuto since meeting Jane Kinney Meyers over 15 years ago and hearing about her plans which have since far exceeded my (and perhaps her) expectations. As a librarian with many years experience in international development I can well appreciate the desperate need for libraries like Lubuto's to help street kids in particular and the whole community to learn, feel connected, thrive, and be safe. I have been so impressed with the growth of the programs offered in the libraries and the number now constructed or planned. It is a great example of cooperation with the host communities. And unlike many development organizations Lubuto listens to the needs of the community and helps them to bring them to fruition vs. swooping in with preset plans. They don't just dump miscellaneous used books on them, but choose the books most needed and relevant and in the best condition. In communities decimated by HIV and poverty Lubuto is a bright light and the stories of the kids who have blossomed in the libraries are heartwarming. Lubuto operates with very low overhead and I am happy to be a sustaining (monthly) donor because I know that every penny goes to good use. If you love the power of reading and libraries, and/or have an interest in Africa or development please consider contributing to this very deserving NGO.

I so admire the work of the Foundation and enjoy keeping up with their activities via their annual report, newsletters, and Facebook. I work in international development and women's reproductive health and have seen what a tremendous impact they have on the women who are able to have normal lives once again after surgery after having suffered greatly often for many years. I learned about the foundation and about fistula from the documentary, A Walk to Beautiful, and was stunned that this condition was so widespread and yet little-known in the developed world. I wish that more people knew about fistula and that we could eradicate this condition, but until then cheers to the Fistula Foundation for all they do.

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