CMMB is a nonprofit, faith based organization that provides and delivers aid without regard to creed, race, sex or national or political circumstance. It is a noble mission statement and they succeed at it based upon my observations.
CMMB stands for Catholic Medical Mission Board. It was founded a hundred years ago by a medical doctor from New York who saw a need and filled it with the help of dedicated partners. Unfortunately that need as been ongoing for ten decades.
Yesterday was a day of information for the CMMB board of directors who could make it to Africa. They listened to well prepared presentations by CMMB staffers who coordinate the Kenyan health and medical outreach programs in this country.
I'd never heard of the organization before two months ago when I was asked to host a series of informative programs about CMMB to be aired on Telecare, a Catholic television station based on Long island.
I've never had a jaded opinion of life for it is not part of my nature, but being a journalist for nearly a half century I've been exposed to the misdeeds, corruption and organizations that take your money, make promises and never fill them. The CMMB organization is the pure evidence of altruism and the Samaritan ethic. The money donated to CMMB goes to help those in need and not the administrative coffers. 97% of all money gifts go help those in need.
When you've been fortunate enough to travel the globe as I have been in my profession you realize just how different life is in America from the rest of the world. We have an abundance of goods and opportunities. We have expectations far into the future. Most of the rest of the world has none of these things.
Where I will take you in tomorrow's post will be the worst of the worst. The slums of Mathare Valley. Join my if you can.
3 comments:
As a reporter and writer your work is so much appreciated. You inform the public as to what is going on and being involved makes it all that more important and worthy. Thank you for your informative post.
I have heard of many missionaries who work in the jungles of Africa and they persevere to give the natives medical, sanitary and dietary information. But, as you say most of the money given to them is taken by the government or the administrators of the organizations that are suppose to be helping the people.
It is good to know firsthand through you about the CMMB so that people can give to them and know their money is being used 97%!!!
One of the most effective long term solutions world wide to end the suffering is to offer education and choice to women regarding birth control If the Catholuc church abandoned their archaic notions in this regard and invested a fraction of their resources in offering these services to women that wanted them, some, maybe much of the suffering would cure itself over time, instead of the endless suffering you see today. Without addressing that single issue, little real progress will be seen, regardless of funds used or the very good intentions of those involved.
To anonymous: It is not that the Catholic Church raises questions about birth control, although it does and believes a child is created a concievement; it is also that all or most Christians do not believe in abortion. Do not blame the Catholics. There are many countries that have conformed to birth rites; ruling no more than one child per couple, i.e., China. There are other ways to prevent pregnancy but everyone does not take advantage of those types of prevention.
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