Charity Talks

SCI Foundation

Dr. Wendy Harrison, the CEO of the SCI Foundation, is this episode’s guest.  SCI’s vision is a world free of preventable diseases.  One preventable disease that SCI is focusing on eradicating is caused by parasitic worm infections, which is not a problem those in developed countries hear about very often.  However, they affect over a billion people around the world, the largest group being school-age children in the poorest communities.  By working to prevent these infections and others, SCI is reducing impaired child development, increasing school attendance, and positively impacting the societies where these diseases are doing the most damage.  (0:31).

 

Website:  https://schistosomiasiscontrolinitiative.org/

 

Innovations for Poverty Action

Annie Duflo, the Executive Director of Innovations for Poverty Action, joins Charity Talks to discuss IPA’s mission to create high quality evidence for the best interventions to alleviate poverty. IPA has programs that improve education in developing countries and reduce human trafficking in Africa. It also has tested the effectiveness of direct payments to those living in poverty, to name just a few of its hundreds of programs. By deeply studying these issues, and then working with governments to put in place the most impactful policies for the poor, IPA is making a huge difference in reducing suffering around the world.  (0:28).

 

Website:  https://www.poverty-action.org/

 

Project Bantu Philippines

Jaime Benedicto, the Director of Project Bantu Philippines, is this episode’s guest.  Project Bantu Philippines uses the music and movements of Capoeira, an Afro-Brazilian art that combines the elements of dance, acrobatics and music, to help children and young people from the poorest neighborhoods in Manila.  Project Bantu’s support and classes provide these children, who are often living on the streets, with enjoyable yet structured activities that help reinforce in them important values such as perseverance, respect, compassion and responsibility.  This impactful program really is making a difference in their lives, particularly during the COVID-related lockdowns in Manila, which have made the day-to-day challenges that these children face even more difficult.  (0:32). 

 

Website:  https://www.projectbantu.org.ph/

 

Innocence Project

Keith Harward, who spent 33 years in prison for crimes he did not commit, and Nigel Quiroz, an attorney and policy analyst at the Innocence Project, are this episode’s guests.  During the podcast, Keith discusses how he was wrongly convicted of a murder and sexual assault based on faulty forensic evidence, and what life has been like for him since he was exonerated.  Nigel discusses how the Innocence Project came to Keith’s defense, and what the organization and Keith are doing to prevent further injustices.  Keith’s ordeal gives a fascinating window into some of the problems in the criminal justice system, and the story of his release from prison and positive outlook on life are sure to uplift you.  (0:40).

Website:  https://innocenceproject.org/

World Resources Institute

Caitlin Smith of the World Resources Institute joins Charity Talks. WRI is a global research organization spanning more than 60 countries that is dedicated to working with leaders in those counties to sustain the world’s natural resources.  From climate, energy and water, to our oceans and cities, WRI's over 1,000 experts and staff turn big ideas into action to protect our natural resources.  (0:26).

https://www.wri.org

American Stroke Association

Dr. Keith Sheth, Professor of Neurology and Neurosurgery at Yale School of Medicine, and a neurologist at Yale New Haven Hospital, as well as a member of the Quality Team at the American Stroke Association, is this episode’s guest.  Strokes affect 1 in 6 people, and while most people generally know what a stroke is, they do not necessarily know what causes them, what the symptoms and signs are, and what recovery can be like for a person who has suffered a stroke.  During this episode, Dr. Sheth explains what causes strokes, what you can do to lower your risk of experiencing one, the research he and his team are doing in this field, and what you should do if you think you are having a stroke.  (0:17).

Website:  https://www.stroke.org/

First Nations Development Institute

Michael Roberts, the President and CEO of First Nations Development Institute, is this episode's guest.  Native American tribes have been marginalized for over 400 years, and as Michael discusses, philanthropy and funding provided to American Indians to address this is a small and disproportionate fraction of that distributed throughout the country.  First Nations is doing important work in addressing these gaps and strengthening American Indian economies, by providing direct financial grants, technical assistance, and training to those communities, as well as carefully listening to their needs and advocating on their behalf.  (0:23).

Website:  https://www.firstnations.org

Task Force for Global Health

Priya Palani, the Associate Creative Director for the Task Force for Global Health, is this episode’s guest and she discusses the important work that the Task Force does around the world to improve the health of those in low and middle income countries.  Fighting infectious diseases, distributing vaccines and conducting field epidemiology are just some of the issues that the Task Force is tackling during these challenging times for world health. (0:20).

Website:  www.taskforce.org

2020 Annual Report:  https://taskforce.org/2020-annual-report/#section_1

 

Living Goods

Charity Talks welcomes Jennifer Hyman to the podcast.  Jennifer is the Director of Communications for Living Goods, which provides critical healthcare solutions to women and children in Africa by deploying a network of community health workers.  Partnering with local governments, Living Goods ensures that quality healthcare is available to those who need it most, and is using technology and data to maximize the impact it is having in these underserved communities.  (0:21).

 

Website:  www.livinggoods.org

Facebook: www.facebook.com/livinggoods.healthare.1

Twitter:  www.twitter.com/Living_Goods

 

Smile Train

Susannah Schaefer, the President and CEO of Smile Train, joins Charity Talks to discuss the problem of cleft lips and palates that many children are born with around the world.  Children with this ailment live in isolation, and often have difficulty eating, breathing, hearing and speaking as a result their untreated clefts.  Smile Train’s mission is to provide a sustainable approach to fixing this problem, including through reconstructive surgeries, training and empowerment of local medical professionals.  You are sure to be uplifted when you hear about Smile Train's amazing work.  (0:27).

 

Website:  https://www.smiletrain.org