Going together: Including others
What makes people to give? Learn from from the ground actions of development sector and the science of altruism, kindness how to add unstoppable momentum to the purposeful & inclusive pursuits that improve many millions of lives.
For-impact or non-profit sector bridges a wide gap
Worldwide, governments' social spend ranges from mere 7-32% (after debt interest, war & administration related expenses, etc.). Billions who can't afford private sector options for essentials, growth & realizing their potential, use the options enabled by the Govt's social spend, philanthropy, CSR & religious institutions in their localities. For-impact players such as International Development Organizations, Think Tanks, Trusts, Societies, Foundations, Associations, NGOs & CSR teams, step in at multiple levels to improve these lives.
Get facts right
You can't improve, what you don't measure. In the fringes of society, data & trends are even more hazy which makes it even more vital to ascertain the facts. Reports, interviews, surveys, GIS, etc. technologies are applied to know the situation.
With stakeholders
Gaining trust of related arms of local, state & central govt - executive, legislature and judiciary, industry, academia, media, community, affected groups and individuals lays the foundation to develop an inclusive & impactful program.
Stop harm
The status quo is the sum-total of actions till date and the negative ones need restrictions. From policy change advocacy, legal bans on scientifically proven ills to reporting prevalent illegal activities, effort is put in many behavior change needs.
Protect lives
The marginalized, ridiculed, violated, oppressed, abused, voiceless or unaware need someone to educate the rights, defend them and allow a fresh start to their lives.
Implement
Improving a context to improve a life has ripple effects in others' lives. Inclusivity is key to prevent reversal and it requires working across the levels for the basic needs of the beneficiary and larger interests of society.
Evaluate
As a USAID rep put it: The purpose of all foreign aid is to end its need. Monitoring & evaluating sustained change at individual, group and community levels over an extended time horizon is essential.
Science of altruism
The above actions of for-impact players take a whole lot of giving by others. Selfless care of others, at personal cost, with no reward. Who does that?! Are you for real?
Indeed, religion comes in for the weak and poor by invoking scriptures, threatening retribution, and calling for sacrifice and alms. Thankfully, science has found clues to explain why we give ultimately:
Kin altruism - It favors altruism when the benefits to clan outweigh the costs borne by individual. Individual does the act for the continuation of the family, kin.
Reciprocal altruism - It explains the helping when there is a chance for reciprocal help. Tit for tat
Costly Signaling - It is meant as an 'honest signal' of resource availability, abilities to gather them, being a valuable partner, and trust-building in those who help.
Evolutionary biologists agree that "Survival of the Kindest", parents caring for their young, our willingness to share and help each other, has seen the human race survive through eons.
Hamilton's Rule of Kin Altruism compares the relatedness and benefit of helping to the cost of doing so, and favors altruism when the cost is less than the benefit to the clan.
That is, whenever:
Beneficiary relatedness x benefit received > personal cost
Individual will act in an altruistic way.
Worker bees sting intruder to their own death!
Showing 'kin altruism' at their scale for the good of the hive.
Amygdala in caring altruist is larger
Reward hormone - Dopamine, Will-power hormone - serotonin and Love hormone - oxytocin release during act of goodwill
Hoarders' greed - at the cost of others' needs - faces fury
Let's resist any urge to hoard and cooperate where possible!
Use the many opportunities in your goal journey to include others...
Emotional why
Your 'why' needs to be emotional, so that the mind prioritizes it and gives it required attention. Who you be emotional for is upto you!
Clarity
To be clear in your approach and make robust plans, you should take guidance from more Experts who have dealt with the area.
Companions
Committing publicly, sharing updates, asking help, bringing others into the fun & enjoyment drive persistence towards a goal
Reach out
Relatedness to others builds motivation. Connect with others at as many levels - purpose, actions, systems, benefits, aims and more. Best thing: they care for your goal.
"To go far...
...Go together": African proverb excerpt. To unleash our individual and collective potential, let's tap what we always relied upon - each other! Join, invest time & improve lives.
Which role will you play?
"All the world's a stage, and all the men and women merely players" ~ William Shakespeare
Our initiatives, expertise and abilities can catalyze the change required. The right role can channel our contributions, and add momentum to the efforts.