"We Lift As We Climb"
If there is a single perfect solution to end poverty, we haven't found it yet. We believe there is no one- size-fits-all solution and that each person's story is unique and requires an individualized intervention to create sustainable change.
How We Operate
The Sharing Well was developed as a way to unite people across the world to be a blessing to one another. We believe that most people have a sharing heart, but don't trust that their hard earned money will go directly to the people in need, or worry their money won't actually make a difference. We operate with 100% transparency and are constantly working toward reducing expenditures (legal fees, banking fees etc.) and improving intervention plans to make sure the maximum amount of money donated goes directly to those in need.
The Well: All donations made to The Sharing Well goes into "The Well"... Money in The Well is transferred to Uganda once per month (to reduce transfer fees) and is put to work immediately. Money in The Well will always be put toward the active goals identified on our website and all donors are encouraged to check our site regularly for updates on our progress. We frequently upload pictures and videos (with the families permission) to show, in real time, the impact of all donated money.
Beneficiaries: individuals and/or families in need... In order to become a registered Beneficiary with The Sharing Well, each family must meet our criteria for living in "poverty" and be validated by the Board of Directors. The Beneficiaries are responsible for engaging in the creation of action plan and all action plans aim to empower Beneficiaries with the aim of reducing poverty to the level where no further intervention is required.
Shepherd: the "captain of the ship"... The Shepherd is responsible for locating families in need and making sure they qualify for our assistance. They sit down with the family and identify specific areas of concern and work with the family to create an intervention plan aimed at improving the identified areas of need. The goal is not to just survive, but to thrive. The Shepherd is then responsible for obtaining estimates, locating resources and providing quotes for all services. Once approved, the Shepherd is responsible for overseeing the provision of services and conducting follow up to ensure that the family continues to thrive once services are stopped. The Shepherd is a local employee who understands the needs and barriers unique to the area where the beneficiaries live. They are incentivized to seek out and implement unique, sustainable solutions for identified beneficiaries.
Distributer: employees that work with beneficiaries under the direction of the Shepherd... Their role is to assist in provision of identified services where it is easier, or most cost effective to do so. For example; most distributors will reside in or nearby the Beneficiaries and will be able to reach them at a reduced cost (i.e. limited or no fuel costs to visit the Beneficiaries).
Directors: The founders of The Sharing Well that oversee all activities... The directors are responsible for hiring and training of all employees/volunteers including the Shepherds, Beneficiaries (yes these are volunteers), Distributors and overseeing all expenditures. The directors must sign off on all action plans and must validate all expenses. The directors keep track of all financial transactions and provide this information to the CRA for annual audit. The directors do not receive any financial incentives for their services (i.e. no donated money will ever go to the directors).
