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     About a year ago, a friend asked me to review a very complete business plan for an NGO he had in mind, dedicated to the attention and education for "children of the streets" in Monterrey, Mexico. After doing a little research, we found that Monterrey is the city in all Latin America that has the lowest index of homeless children living on the streets. My friend was about to start looking for financing for this NGO he had in mind, right before we realized that such project wouldn't have been the best investment of his time, energy and resources because his vision was only a solution for something that mattered a lot to him, but that wasn't necessarily a need or socioeconomic problem most urgent to work on.

     The article "The Challenges of Global Health" (Garret 2007), presents us with a great and well-founded reflection about an issue that is very similar to my friend and his NGO. Except in this case, the programs analyzed are initiatives of national governments as well as international NGO's and very important institutions dedicated to solving the problems of global health. To give you an idea of how huge this movement is, only in the past two years, 38 billion dollars were invested in this global health. It is very common to think that the most important challenge faced by the implementation of programs and public policy that aim to solving the greatest socioeconomic problems of the world, is the lack of economic resources. After reading this article, I have realized that money is only one of many factors that determine the success of such initiatives.

     Over the last 20 years we have seen an important increase in the presence of NGO's and in their participation in regional and global development. Even though NGO's represent a more cost-effective way to solve problems, and many of them are conformed by very talented and prepared experts to very specific issues, NGO's as a whole are still far from reaching their full potential in their participation in society because the efforts made in different areas are still much isolated and uncoordinated with all other parallel lines of actions being taken in the world.

     We are faced with a great need of effective LEADERSHIP at the state, national and international levels; leaders that hold a vision of coordination within the social, private and public sector that in the end, hold similar goals beginning with the socioeconomic development of their community.

     Leadership, this could be the most important factor for the success of the implementation of sustainable and long-lasting change. Every day there are more great efforts and resources dispersed around the world that are working towards a common goal, though with different agendas, methodologies of action, and with partial visions of the problems they're working on solving.

     The world needs ethical leaders that are able to coordinate the efforts of the many actors of development, resources, initiatives and visions in order to maximize the results of so many passionate people who genuinely work for the bettering of the world. We need leaders who know how to implement sustainable and transcending programs. Who generate solutions and promote an intelligent balance between solidarity and subsidiarity instead of perpetuating the never-ending cycles o dependency which end up always being more expensive and much less effective in the long term.

     This world needs ethical leaders who take the time to understand the needs and the problematic for which they work, and at the same time innovating solutions based in the real needs of the community, and not based in their own personal partial visions or interests. We need ethical leaders who understand that the people, to whom development programs are geared to, are key agents in their own development, because this will truly unleash creativity processes that will bring together a more complete view of reality that will unchain new levels of participation and development.

     We live at a time when citizen and institutional generosity is truly started to be promoted as a way o social responsibility and professional ethic. In 2005, 22.7 billion dollars were donated by American Citizens for global health initiatives only. With this growing generosity, it is key that the resources are geared toward real needs and sustainable solutions, and not individual visions of how resources should be spent.

     We live at a time when it's becoming imperative that we learn to coordinate our efforts and resources to produce more effective and sustainable changes. This is the beginning of an era in which the civil society sees themselves as change-agents of this world, and takes on the responsibility of participating along with governments and private organizations to better the world. May we learn quickly, because even well-intentioned actions that lack a proper vision and strategy can not only fall short of reaching their potential, but they can also even worsen the issues that they wished to improve.

     Strategic and ethical leaders WANTED! You wanna?

     Hola FeelGood-ers! Last month, we talked about the importance of leadership and the challenges they face in coordinating and bringing social change into reality. Today I'd like to explore with you the role of leadership facing a very specific problem in developing countries- Health issues and agendas, beginning with grave injustices that silently reflect the deep gender inequalities that tie down the potential of our humanity's unleashing.

     Less than 10 years ago the biggest problem in global health seemed to be the lack of resources available to combat the multiple scourges ravaging the world's poor and sick. Today, thanks to a recent extraordinary and unprecedented rise in public and private giving, more money is being directed toward pressing health challenges than ever before.

     To give you an idea of the "extraordinary public and private giving", in 2005, the Bush administration invested $27.7 billion for overseas assistance, of which 33% was directed towards global health issues. The American citizens only, raised $22.4 billion; the World Bank focused $3.4 billion, and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation raised $6.6 billion all for global health issues in 2005.

     Can you believe the power or change that can propel this amount of resources? Now, let's talk about global health. According to the UN, the top 3 causes of death in developing countries are: 1. maternal death at child-birth, 2. pediatric respiratory and intestinal infections, 3. diarrhea. - Really? - More mothers die at child-birth than people from HIV/AIDS? One might think, I don't see t-shirts or media campaigns regarding these issues! Did you know that more than 60% of Global Health money is being channeled towards HIV/AIDS, TB and Malaria? You probably at least imagined so, given the great focus that our generation and media is putting into these health problems. And they are grave problems.

     The questions here are why the most urgent health problems such as the health of women and children are not being focused on as much as HIV/AIDS, TB and Malaria

     FeelGood and The Hunger Project's focus on health truly recognizes the importance of women's health. And their focus takes us to a deeper analysis of socioeconomic issues, which are never isolated. A health problem is not only a health problem, it's a problem born out of a complex context interconnected with other problems. For example, a greater focus on maternal health, will directly impact the health of children at birth. If their mothers are also present and healthy during their infancy, they will be more capable to provide for healthier feeding, education and development as children; thus bringing a stronger generation of young adults that will be more able to work and provide for the future generations, contributing in more levels to the development of their communities, as opposed to being physically challenged by starvation and famine.

     It is unacceptable in our time, that the top causes of death are so medically simple to fix! And it is quite unbelievable to realize that these health problems are a consequence of the deep gender inequalities that are STILL present in our time!

     So this is where you/us leader's role comes in, in understanding and exploring the deep and complex causes of the issues we face as humanity, and in the creative roles we play in their solving. For example, the efforts that global health money is paying for are largely uncoordinated and directed mostly at specific high-profile diseases rather than at the most urgent health problems of developing countries; this presents a grave danger that the current age of generosity could not only fall short of expectations, but actually make things worse on ground.

     What do you think? ? Who is choosing the agenda of global health resources, and why? Do developing countries have a say on how this money is being spent? Is this money coordinated with local resources and programs? Is our current approach sustainable?

     For now I am happy to know that FeelGood supports THP's chain of development that brings the important focus on women's health. We have to tell the world! Keep up the great work! Because you are making a difference, and ending world hunger every day one grilled cheese at a time. Let's spread the word ya'll!

Peace,

Talis

Jamm'n to End Famine was SO sucessful!!!!

     Not only did we have tons of fun making banners, loading sound equipment in an out (haha), making Jamm'n Jerry sandwiches and hearing some great reggae, we raised $4,000!!!!! That means that in ONE day we raised enough money to donate to The Hunger Project and as Kristin calculated for us, that is enough to empower 100 members of our human family to end their own hunger. That, my friends, is amazing.

     So what does that bring our grand total to for the semester??? A whopping $14,000!! Our goal of raising $20,000 is within sight! That's so exciting and feelgood would be nowhere near that goal if it wasn't for all of you wonderful members who give your time and energy.

     This week we're going to continue on the path from Jamm'n. Starting with prep tomorrow at 6pm in the SGA kitchen on the 3rd floor of the Davis Center.

     Then we'll have our meeting at 7pm in room 422 of the Davis Center. At the meeting we'll be eating some yummy snacks, talking about Springfest, and most excitingly hearing speeches from our Vice Presidential candidates for next year!

     If you're interested in running for vice president please come with a little speech prepared to the meeting, if you're unable to make the meeting please email me a blurb to read. We're still working on printing the applications, and we'll most likely just have them at the meeting. Elections will start tomorrow and close on Friday at the close of the kiosk. The ballot box will be at the FG desk and at the kiosk when open.

     I hope to see a lot of you at the meeting tomorrow night. Remember that new people are always welcome at the meetings so feel free to come if you haven't before or to bring a friend if you're a returner. There can never be too many people working in the movement for a world free from hunger:)

Have a good night and a happy Monday!

Liz Batsford
VP UVM feelgood

Dear FG,

Last Sunday, two tiny parks and a university parking lot in beautiful downtown Isla Vista, CA were the site of a major music festival called ChillaVista. This festival was designed to show students and locals different ways to "live consciously" in the world around us. Many organizations and bands came together to promote responsible, healthy lifestyles including one we are all very familiar with, FeelGood.

When the ChillaVista organizers and the officers of FeelGood SB found out about each other, they immediately agreed that the only natural thing to do was to collaborate. Within a week, the spring 2007 ChillaVista featured the local FG chapter as the sole food service in the park. The deli provided a fun atmosphere to celebrate the end of our first semester in Santa Barbara and a perfect opportunity to raise awareness for global hunger. Our biggest sellers were the Gaucho (UCSB's mascot) which featured Pepper Jack cheese, bell peppers, and a shot of guacamole and the Greek which had tomatoes and olives. Both sold out of ingredients and we had to make three store-runs!

FeelGood SB would like to take this opportunity to thank the members of the IV Food Co-op and the brothers of UCSB's AEPi chapter for the donations and volunteering during the festival. With their help and the hard work of our members, we raised $350 by the end of the day, our highest income ever!

Thanks to everyone for a great semester and here's to an even better Fall!

Herschel

FeelGood SB, Chair

Our group (minus a few) celebrated our successful first semester tonight! We just want to thank

• • other FG chapters for all the inspiration and support;
  • Kristin who seemed to have the answer to everything;
  • Courier Cafe/Silvercreek for our regular supply of various hearty bread
  • Za's and Strawberry Fields for their in-kind donations
  • Clybourne's for being open to us
  • and anyone who helped out to get our deli up and running initially (especially Ryan S., Carleen, Johan, Nurul and Cindy)

Looking forward to more feelingood next semester! :)

These past two days I’ve found myself incredibly distracted and emotionally preoccupied by the sadness and vast loss of innocence that resulted from Monday’s VT Massacre. As college students, I’m sure this tragedy hits a little to close to home and I just want to express that my thoughts and prayers are with you all.

My prayers go out to the families of the victims who will need all the love and support this universe holds in order to slowly heal.

Keep spreading the love and hope of a more complete humanity; the world needs it.

There was a delicious article in the NY Times today about grilled cheese sandwiches. I thought some of you students might be interested; especially those of you who love exploring recipes. Read the article here

Hope you are all having a wonderful day!

Hey UVM Kiddees and Kiddos!

A couple more things!

First, if you haven't done so, check out the article written about FeelGood in "The View" It's a really nice piece and hopefully lots will read it and get the FeelGood message!
http://www.uvm.edu/~uvmpr/theview/article.php?id=2296

Motivation this week...what do you know about Malaria?

Well, according to Milleniumpromise.org a child dies from Malaria every 30 seconds. 1-3 million people (mostly children) die each year from Malaria.

"Malaria and poverty are intimately connected. Malaria is most intractable for the poorest countries in the world. It affects the health and economic growth of nations and individuals alike and is costing Africa about $12 billion a year in economic output.

The simple presence of malaria in a community or country also hampers individual and national prosperity due to its influence on social and economic decisions. The risk of contracting malaria in endemic areas can deter investment and affect individual and household decision making in many ways that have a negative impact on economic
productivity and growth.

Some examples of negative impact include:

• Preference by individual farmers/households to plant subsistence crops rather than more labor-intensive cash crops because of malaria's impact on labor during harvest season.
• Undeveloped markets due to traders' unwillingness to travel to and invest in malaria endemic areas.
• Undeveloped tourist industry due to reluctance of travelers to visit malaria-endemic areas."

THP Malawi launched a HUGE anti-malaria bed-net program in January 2004. In the October 2006 update to the global board, THP Malawi reported "THP-Malawi provides loans to buy bed nets, which are then sold for a small profit (this profit is invested back into getting more bed-nets). So far, several hundred bed-nets have been sold to the partners and this has dramatically reduced the incidences of malaria in several villages."

It is the simplest thing such as a bed-net that saves 2 lives, yet there are people out there who don’t have access to them This is not ok! If you want to read more about Malawi's malaria initiative, here is the link.

http://thp.org/malawi/2004/update0104/index.htm

Or if you want to learn more about Malaria and poverty click here:
http://www.millenniumpromise.org/site/PageServer?pagename=malaria_main

So who knew the cost of a couple grilled cheeses could buy a bed-net and save lives...literally!

See you tonight everyone!! 7:00 pm- be there or be square.

By Thomas Weaver
Article published March 22, 2007 in UVM's The View

The corridor through the ground floor of Billings has long led to hotbeds of student creative energy. From the Cynic offices, past WRUV’s studio where a bass beat inevitably thumps behind the sticker-plastered door, and on to the busy network of Student Government Association offices. Tuesday and Friday afternoons, that scene expands to include an unusual blend of the culinary arts and philanthropy when the student volunteers of the Feel Good organization plug in their trusty Foremans to grill cheese sandwiches.

It would be tough to find a more potent combination of thrift and social conscience, gustatory pleasure and sound nutrition than the four-dollar grilled cheese served up by the student volunteers of UVM’s Feel Good. Working with bread from Klinger’s Bakery and 25 pounds of Shelburne Farms' cheddar donated every week, the group gives all of its profit — $10,000 last semester alone — to The Hunger Project and Millennium Promise.

Apologies to the big guys at Sodexho and the little guys out in the trucks on University Place, but Feel Good is one of the best campus lunch deals going. This isn’t your white bread and Velveeta grilled cheese, but a sandwich with gourmet aspirations from the top-notch bread and cheese to a bevy of embellishments — your choice of garlic, salsa, onions, tomatoes, mushrooms, peppers and spinach. May we suggest the “Cheesus Loves Me”?

Feel Good is a national effort with roots at the University of Texas, where it was started by a circle of cross-country runners and their friends. In 2005, they began spreading the “ending world hunger one grilled cheese at a time” concept to other universities, and there are now 11 chapters nationwide — Columbia to Illinois to Colorado to UC-Santa Barbara. When UVM Feel Good VP Leah Grossman is asked why this particular method for fighting hunger, her eyes widen a little at the slow-pitch softball question. “Everyone loves grilled cheese,” she says. “It’s simple, delicious, students love it.”

In its philanthropy and educational efforts, Feel Good emphasizes a self-reliant, grassroots model of development — with high priority placed on the empowerment of women. That philosophy is explained at the organization's website: “We believe that conventional, top-down planning is not the answer; it is part of the problem. Top-down, service-delivery approaches are not only too inefficient and inflexible to make a dent in world hunger, they actually undermine the most important resource — the creativity and self-reliance of hungry people themselves.”

Illustrating the concept, UVM student Grossman suggests a variation on the familiar “Give a man a fish or teach a man to fish” wisdom. “These people know how to fish, but the lake is dry or it is surrounded with barbed wire,” she says. “One of the most important things we can do is help remove obstacles that keep people from being able to help themselves.”

With an old-school marketing approach heavily invested in sidewalk chalk, UVM Feel Good has built itself into the leading fundraising chapter in the organization. The Vermont students typically sell in the neighborhood of 100 sandwiches each day during the two afternoons a week they’re open for business in the Billings basement, Feel Good President Taryn Ross says. They also set up at special events, such as SpringFest or February’s Transgender Identity Conference on campus.

Next fall, Feel Good members will move into the Davis Center, where they’ll set up their sandwich-making assembly line in 81 square-feet of deli/kiosk space. It will be a tight squeeze, but the students are used to doing great works with humble things. Archimedes can keep his lever; give these UVM students a Foreman and they can move the world.

To read the article online go to: http://www.uvm.edu/~uvmpr/theview/article.php?id=2296