About

Self-Help International

Self-Help is a non-profit, development organization

We commit to a country, a group of people and a set of projects until the recipients can stand by themselves. We are not a relief agency, which tends to meet temporary needs. Self-Help believes in teaching people “to fish” for their long-term benefit. Learn more about this history of Self-Help Here

 

Self-reliance emerges when people discover ways to do things for themselves. When they initiate, dependency is reduced and sustainable, permanent results and increased self-respect are achieved. There’s an old saying, “You get what you expect.” We have found it true of our in-country staff and among the beneficiaries of our micro-credit loans.

 

Self-Help’s micro-credit strategy expects each beneficiary to be responsible and accountable for his or her loan and training. We all want sustainable, viable businesses. We expect every loan will be paid back in full with interest – as agreed – and to date 97% have!

In-Country Staff Bears the Load

Self-Help is unique in that we extend this concept to our Ghanaian and Nicaraguan staff, as well. Self-Help wants them to take steps toward sustainability for their offices. SHI won’t be in either country forever. Self-Help has worked in Ghana since 1989. In 2003, the in-country staff was asked by the SHI Board of Directors to contribute 23% of its total operating budget. Work in Nicaragua started 10 years later, and since 2003, the Nicaragua staff raises 10% of its budget.

 

Initially, this challenge appeared overwhelming to them, but it is now embraced. This leads to creative ways to accomplish tasks and helps them initiate expense-reduction measures. Self-Help is developing leaders with strong development skills for their countries.

 

Self-Help has a staff of 1.75 FTEs (full-time equivalents) in the headquarters in Waverly, Iowa. The staff in Nicaragua is 4.5 FTEs and there are 5.0 FTEs in Ghana. Self-Help is governed by an 18-member group of volunteers who serve on the Board of Directors. (Five also serve with the Honorary or Emeritus designation.)

 

In 2007, over 82% of all finances went to help the projects and people in the two countries we support. The remaining 18% was split evenly between development/fundraising costs and staff/operating expenses.

 

Our History

Click here to read more about the history of Self-Help.

 

A Commitment in Many Ways

You probably could tell by now that Self-Help is a “different” kind of organization. After all, we require our in-country staff to raise a portion of their own support. That’s certainly different than most. However you may not have known that every international trip taken by the Board Members, volunteers or Interns is 100% self-funded. If you read about a trip to Ghana or Nicaragua, you can remember that it happened because these people feel so strongly about the work they pay for it out of their own pocket! That means more of the dollars you give go towards the projects and people of Nicaragua and Ghana!

Wartburg Partnership

The four-year, Liberal Arts College in Waverly, Iowa is Wartburg College. Besides a tradition of academic excellence, it provides a pool of talent and resources among its students. Wartburg continues to stress service as part of their educational process. Consequently, the pool of interns, work-study and volunteers seems to never run dry. Self-Help appreciates Wartburg’s willingness to coordinate these students. Without them, much of what you see and hear about could not be accomplished. And it is just another way that Self-Help can continue to have such a large “footprint” with such a small budget.

A Word on Finances

One great way to learn more about Self-Help is to read the 2007 Annual Report. All figures and information it contains is audited and accurate.

 

Click here to open it up.

 

In 2006, Individuals made up the largest percentage of revenue with 55.6%. Next came churches with 16.2%. Grants totaled 10.5%. Corporations/organizations made up about 8.7%. The remainder came from interest, dividends and in-kind contributions. About 18% of revenue was used for Salaries, utilities, computers, mailings, promotions, events and other non-project-specific expenses.

2006 Self-Help International Expenses