South Asia Briefing Unit 6

National Impact

The Hunger Project Online Briefing Program
THP in India - Empowering Women Panchayat Leaders
Page 22 of 23

At a Glance

The Opportunity of Investment

The Hunger Project's work with women and panchayati raj will be made possible through investment. As investors in The Hunger Project, in India and around the world, we are truly funding a new future for humanity.

"I lived on the shady side of the road and watched my neighbours' gardens across the way revelling in the sunshine.
"I felt I was poor, and from door to door went with my hunger.
"The more they gave me from their careless abundance the more I became aware of my beggar's bowl.
"Till one morning I awoke from my sleep at the sudden opening of my door, and you came and asked for alms.
"In despair I broke the lid of my chest open and was startled into finding my own wealth."
–Rabindranath Tagore

Investment in a new future

The Hunger Project is more than an organization — it's a worldwide movement of women and men who provide partnership, strength, commitment, love, leadership and the financial resources to have The Hunger Project succeed.

People are amazed The Hunger Project accomplishes so much with such a modest budget ($7 million for the year 2000).
We achieve this high level of accomplishment because we are able to mobilize resources that go far beyond our budget. We can do this because more than 90% of our funding comes from our team of highly committed private individuals, many of whom invest $5,000 and more each year.

Those who give their money to The Hunger Project do not see themselves as donors. Rather they see themselves as investors, as stakeholders, standing in full and coequal partnership with hungry people in achieving a future free from hunger.

As new investors, or long-time supporters of The Hunger Project, this year's new initiatives in South Asia present a new opportunity: to fund initiatives that are at the cutting edge of social transformation.
Please visit The Hunger Project's website for more information on what it means to invest in The Hunger Project.

At the September 23rd launching event in New York City, we will have the opportunity to invest in the work of women leaders in both India and Bangladesh. This is the most high-leverage action that we can take to create a new future for humanity, free from hunger and poverty.

Indian Investors

In India, there is a growing investor body committed to a new future.
The Global Investment Group in India - individuals investing at the moral equivalent of US $5000 is strong and growing.
In 1999, The Hunger Project-India launched a massive expansion campaign for its GIG.
As a result of the campaign, India's GIG more than doubled to 120 individuals by the end of December 1999.
The GIG enrollment campaign has been led powerfully by Lalita Banavali, Managing Director of The Hunger Project-India, who will be retiring after 17 years of extraordinary leadership. Says Lalita, On the eve of my leaving The Hunger Project, I want to truly appreciate and acknowledge all my GIGs in India who have, and are giving of their money so lovingly and with such unwavering trust. The inspiration for the GIG campaign in India comes from the selfless giving of global investors around the world, and their commitment to the end of hunger. I hope The Hunger Project always has their love and support.

The Hunger Project team at the Institute of Social Sciences (ISS) in Delhi

National Impact

The Hunger Project Online Briefing Program
THP in India - Empowering Women Panchayat Leaders
Page 22 of 23

At a Glance