Roots and Wings

Many years ago I asked my young children what two things they needed from their parents. They said ‘food and money.’ I told them ‘roots and wings.’ My goal in pledging 99% of my assets to philanthropy is to help others with roots—food, warmth, shelter, healthcare, education—so they too can have wings.
-Judy Faulkner

You may remember this quote from the blog post about the Giving Pledge, but the concept of roots and wings is one worth exploring and discussing more deeply. Although roots and wings may not be the first words that come to mind when we think about how to meet the needs of others, upon reflection, it makes perfect sense. Without a solid foundation on which to stand, it’s difficult for an individual to take flight, to be able to care for himself, and ultimately to find her own gifts to share with the world.

It is for this idea of building firm roots to allow others to find their wings that See Beautiful emphasizes sustainability in our Giving Initiatives. What does this mean exactly? It means that the impact of the Giving Initiative is felt beyond the sum of the funding. It means that the community and individuals in it grow in their capacity to meet their own needs. And it means that See Beautiful becomes a small part of a path toward empowerment.

There are so many examples of sustainable projects, and here are just a few. ​

As was shared in a recent blogpost, Mavuno providing technical training to peer-selected individuals exemplifies a sustainable solution. Funds are used in a way that will continue to positively impact the community. ​

Mavuno

See Beautiful’s partnership with How Global helped Kenyan families purchase goats to start small businesses. ​

How Global

With the support of See Beautiful and Kula Project, an entire community of women were able to purchase land and coffee trees to create a lasting business and income for their families. ​

Kula Project

This short list only scratches the surface. Read more fantastic success stories to see the range of sustainable organizations and projects See Beautiful has helped to support. And get a dose of inspiration while you’re at it. ​

Author

Jannan Poppen, Giving Coordinator