FAQ

Contact us via email at owen.project.sn@gmail.com

WHY AM I DOING THIS?

A natural consequence of embedding oneself in a poor country is that you cannot avoid seeing the daily insult of poverty.   I, and many of my friends and family, live like kings and queens, in comparison.  Relatively small sums of money make a huge difference in the lives of the men, women and children in under developed countries.  Countries like Senegal do not have social safety nets, charitable food banks, or other infrastructure like we have here.  Furthermore, there is not a culture of charitable giving within the country.    There is no Emergency Family Assistance or Salvation Army.  Having personal connections with people who are in need called me to help out.  I hope that, through me, you can also sense the importance of this work.  

WHY MY OWN PROJECT, INSTEAD OF DONATING THROUGH AN ESTABLISHED ORGANIZATION?

I also donate to established organizations. In fact, I still donate to PLAN INTERNATIONAL, as well as various domestic organizations.  Those organizations do not do what I am doing here - providing funds for women and men to have THEIR OWN BUSINESSES.  There are many organizations which build schools, clinics, provide food aid, but providing funds to start and sustain businesses is not something that I typically see.  Grants for the small businesses are typically $800-$1000.  Construction of each pirogue was on the order of $15,000-$20,000.  This type of support is not available through established non-profit organizations that I know of. 

KIVA PROVIDES LOANS TO ENTPRENEURS TO START BUSINESSES - WHY NOT JUST PROVIDE LOANS THROUGH THEM?

Kiva has become an investment vehicle in the financial marketplace!  Technology Review, an MIT publication, did a long article on this.  This runs counter to my philosophy.  I also have learned, through my own experience, that what we read in the glossy promotional materials is often not really what is happening.  All those smiling people may not be smiling at all, but are putting a good face on it.  I've become a bit of a skeptic, unless I see with my own eyes what is happening.  This is why I go to Senegal annually and talk to my partner almost daily.  

WHY NOT GIVE LOANS INSTEAD OF DIRECT GIFTS?

I thought about it, and even took some steps to do that, but the hassle of administering something like that is not what I wanted to engage in.  Instead, my philosophy, and what I have told grantees is that it is up to them to "pass it on", to help others as they have been helped.  Whether they do that or not is up to them.  

WHY CONTINUE TO SUPPORT PROJECTS WHICH ARE NOT YET (OR MAY NEVER BE) FULLY SELF-SUSTAINING

I have thought about this deeply.  My hope is that the new government will act to reduce overfishing by foreign fishing factories so that fishing stocks can recover.  These are problems which are beyond my control.  In the  meantime, the pirogues are supporting employment of 30-70 men and women, from fishermen, to women selling in the market, from artisans who are maintaining and repainting the pirogues, people who repair equipment, women preparing meals for the workers.  The smaller projects, clothing production and small commerce are self-sustaining, but have much less impact from an employment perspective. 

HOW CAN I HELP?

Donate, Show interest, Follow the project! Think about how the gifts you have received in your life can help others, even if it's not for OWEN Project, there is much need in the world.  At a minimum, smile at passersby.  It may have made their day. ; )