Gates Foundation Tackles Malaria

The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation has so far given $1.14 billion to the fight against malaria. A disease that kills 1 million people each year, it has so far defeated all attempts to combat it. Now, with Gates money, a new battle, using the latest science and technology is being waged against it. This is a great story about the use of philanthropic support to further the goals of society. Bill money is an extraordinary force for good in the world. It has already saved lives, and it is poised to save millions more in the coming years. As one who believes every life is precious and who sees the loss of even one life as a loss for the world, I give this Foundation my heartfelt support.

Philanthropy As An Afterthought

“As I plunked down 2,000 rupees to cover the bill, I had an idea. I totted up what I'd spent so far: 2,541 rupees remained in my budget. When I got back to Manhattan, I vowed, that cash would go to the Bombay Leprosy Project. It wasn't much, but I knew that in Mumbai, it would go a long way.” (Frugal Traveler: Visiting in Luxury, With Money Left for Philanthropy, September 23, 2007 New York Times)

Thus a report from India ends with a nod toward philanthropy following a two-day pub crawl through Mumbai (formerly Bombay). The premise is that the author will spend only $500 during his two days there. But he finds the task difficult when his friends take him bar hopping on Friday night (until 5 a.m.) and clubbing on Saturday.

It turns out there are at least two strata in Mumbai society: the wealthy and the poor. The poor are everywhere, and the wealthy are concealed behind gates, high walls and security guards.

At 43 rupees to the dollar, the reporter had 21,500 rupees to spend in a place where the middle class makes about that in a month. Forget about the needy. They’re lucky to see that kind of money in a year. Yet, the reporter details what a struggle it is to get by with American standards in a country as economically challenged as India, especially when you spend 75% of your money on luxury the first night.

But you should be glad to know that with the pennies left, the Bombay Leprosy Project will be encouraged to continue its good work.

More Published Face For Me

I’ve decided to break out of the blogosphere and into the e-zine world with an article in a Houston publication starting up in the fall. I write so much anyway, I figured, what’s one more assignment. I’m going to write about arts funding, a passion of mine, despite the fact I’ve done very little of it. In fact none since finding NEA funding for two artist friends some time ago. I would hope that someone sees my brilliance at sussing out the logic of arts funding that they give me a chance to do the job. I certainly feel a kinship with those trying to make the argument that funding the arts is as important as funding soup kitchens.

It’s not feed a tenor, starve a child anymore. It’s more like starve a tenor, lose a culture.