We recently received a message from Brian, a donor from Mozambique, that was so touching I just had to share it with you: 
 

“A month ago, after a discussion about Ebola, my 8 year old daughter suggested that we take up a donation. Over the next 10 days, she (along with her twin sisters who are 7) encouraged others to contribute as well. This donation is the result of their hard work, and many generous Mozambican friends. Though it may not seem like much, this is equivalent to 2 month's minimum wage here. Thank you for connecting our hearts with fellow Africans who are suffering! My daughters have learned a valuable lesson - that when we join our small efforts together, we can make a big difference in the lives of others.”

Reading Brian's message, I'm thankful that his community in Mozambique—3,500 miles away from the outbreak—has been so generous. I'm also thankful for the choice they made about how to give.

They joined donors like you from 67 other countries around the globe in choosing to support a locally driven response to the Ebola outbreak.

You’ve heard of many celebrities and companies giving to Ebola relief, but did you know that GlobalGiving donors are among the few that are funding work by local West African organizations?

Why is this important? Time and time again we’ve found that after a disaster, locally driven organizations are best positioned to respond to the nuanced needs of their communities, and they are the ones most likely to bring about lasting recovery in the area. We’ve seen this after the earthquake in Japan. We’ve seen it after the typhoon in the Philippines. And we’ll see it again in West Africa in the coming months.

No matter where disaster strikes, we’re passionate about supporting local change-makers, and we’re thankful so many of you are too. 
 
Warmly,
Will Frechette and the GlobalGiving Team