This directory seeks to bring together material that will facilitate more information gathering and networking to help in the most impoverished countries having over half of the world's population and commonly referred to as a "developing country" a "third world country," or a "majority world country." It's where most people exist under the equivalent of $2.00 per person daily (as measured in U.S currency). Some examples of help may include short-term mission trips, getting medical supplies, sharing technologies, and financial assistance. Use this as a "toolbox" of background and contact information to help build better futures in overseas developing countries—whether or not you can personally go there.

Some of this information can become outdated very quickly, and there probably are mistakes. If you find any, or have suggestions for improving future versions, please let me know about them. No warranties, expressed or implied, shall be made for accuracy or appropriateness of this information. Nor shall the author be liable for any claims or losses of any nature, due to any errors, real or perceived. You are welcome to reproduce the material for non-profit use with this understanding.  Please also note that I have no input or involvement in preparing the material shown on the individual websites and the thousands of links to them which follow.  Thank you, H. Bruce Carr 

Introducing the author and FAQ’s about this directory

You see a picture of a starving child. You hear about a major flood, earthquake, or famine hitting an impoverished area of the world that has very serious problems even under the best circumstances and wonder if you can do something about it. Perhaps you have some surplus items and wonder if someone in an extremely desperate situation could use them. Maybe you have thought about personally going to such a place and sharing some of your skills and other resources.

These kinds of thoughts have been on my mind ever since college days. When the Peace Corps was first announced, I wanted to join it. Instead I became a high school social studies teacher in Ohio and Detroit for 32 years. After retiring, I led a group from my church on a mission trip to a very impoverished area of the Dominican Republic. That experience, and nine other mission trips back there and to Haiti and Nicaragua, showed how so many things we take for granted in the U.S. are needed in the developing world. I compiled a directory to help locate medical supplies and other things for the Dominican Republic and Haiti.

People began using my directory for other places, so in 2001, I decided that it would be even more effective to revise what I had done and emphasize organizations that are involed in at least five countries in the developing world--the more the better.

The following questions and answers may help you understand what I’m trying to do.

If you are an American, don’t you realize that there are plenty of things than need to be done in the U.S. before getting involved with the rest of the world? I don’t deny that there are many needs in my home country. The inner city school in Detroit where I taught for 29 years was in one of the most impoverished urban neighborhoods anywhere in the U.S. at the time of its closing, and the doors were shut largely for economic reasons. The county where I was born in Tennessee still has a median income in the bottom two percent nationally. Although the community where I live now is more fortunate, we have many unemployed and sometimes homeless people, foreclosures, and other indices of poverty. I try to help locally and nationally though programs with a good track record. Many of the organizations in this directory are also involved in meeting needs in the U.S. However, more than 95% of the world’s population is in other countries, and my directory mainly seeks to help in the most impoverished areas over there—where conditions are far more challenging than can be found in the U.S. Access to clean water and basic sanitation are examples.

How do you find the information in this directory? It comes through internet and printed material research, travel (including over 25 conferences), and lots of referrals. I do not list organizations until first receiving their permission (unless it is something completely in the public domain, such as advice to check with the Centers for Disease Control website about a country before going there). My church is part of American Baptist Churches/USA, so I list them. I also have material from faiths that are not Christian and from secular organizations.

Why do you frequently choose not to include organizations that are doing a good job somewhere overseas? Thousands of faith-based and secular organizations do wonderful things in specific places, and it’s virtually impossible to list all of them. I feel that I can be more helpful by concentrating on material that can be used in many areas of the developing world instead of only one or a few countries. I also include some internet search engines that can provide information about virtually any specific place.

Why does about half of this information relate to medical subjects? My family and I have been fortunate to receive excellent treatment for several major illnesses, and this directory seeks to show appreciation for that. The vast majority of the world’s population is not able to get the level of medical care we received and die long before my age (73). By locating and distributing this kind of information, I feel that I can help save lives and help people attain more productive futures. I want to follow the biblical mandate in James 1:22 to “be doers of the word and not hearers only.”

Are you looking for more information to be included in future directory updates? Yes, this is an ongoing effort, and I hope to continue it for as long as I am able or until some other folks pick up what I have started and do a more effective job. I look forward to receiving any suggestions that can improve my efforts in networking.

Do you charge anything? Not so far. I don’t charge anything to be listed or to get a printed copy of this. Maybe someday that will be necessary. Several volunteers, including my webmaster—Randy Williams of Harper Vance in Toledo, OH—are assisting me. Knowing that these efforts are helping in some of the most impoverished places is my reward.

Working together for a better world for everyone,

H. Bruce Carr