Why I Give: “The Women’s Strength Inspires Me”
Board member and seven-time volunteer Pam Griffin looks to support Global Volunteers’ Reaching Children’s Potential Program (RCP) in any way she can. For the last few years, Pam has organized two Facebook fundraisers annually – one for her birthday in April and one around Giving Tuesday in early December. Her family and friends on Facebook have seen that she herself is dedicated to financially supporting the RCP Program and especially the women’s co-ops, and have enthusiastically given to this cause. During her last fundraiser, in April 2021, Pam raised $1,120 specifically for the women’s cooperatives in Tanzania. Read on for what Pam says about why she donates to this program and how easy it is to conduct a Facebook fundraiser.
Tell us about the ways that you have fundraised and donated to Global Volunteers through third parties or online platforms, Pam.
I started doing the Facebook birthday fundraiser at least three years ago for my birthday, and my donation has gone to Global Volunteers. Whatever I can do to donate and contribute to Global Volunteers, I will do. I also have Global Volunteers set in my Amazon Smile account so all my Amazon purchases provide a donation. In addition, Microsoft Bing has a donation program that when you use Bing as your internet browser, you earn points that become money for a donation, which, in my case, goes to Global Volunteers. There are so many ways to help raise money that can be donated to Global Volunteers and for me it’s to Tanzania and the RCP co-ops.
Pam with children in Tanzania in 2009 
Pam with choir singers 
Pam with RCP moms
What impresses you about RCP and the women’s coops such that you decided to support the program financially?
I love the RCP program. The mothers in the program are just amazing…truly THE strongest women I have ever met. They work the fields, take care of their families, and are so proud to be in the RCP Program and learn from the volunteers and RCP Caregivers. The women in the co-ops are so friendly and proud of their hard work making baskets, tote bags jewelry and fabrics. The last time I was in Ipalamwa in October 2018, they offered to make dresses and skirts for us volunteers. So I have a custom-made house dress that I love. I am very happy and proud to help these women and thus my reason for my recent Facebook birthday fundraiser donation to the RCP co-ops.
Volunteer Anna O’Neal with Ipalamwa General Clinic Manager Anna Victor pose in the hand-made dresses they purchased from an RCP women’s co-op. 
The first hand-washing station installed in Ipalamwa in 2017 during Pam’s service program there.
How important is it for you to experience a program in order to feel confident about your contributions?
Very important. To give any donation, I have to fully trust and understand where my money goes and how it is used by the organization. By experiencing the RCP program twice — in 2017 and 2018 — as well as serving on four other Tanzania programs before the RCP Program started in Tanzania in 2017, I know and trust my donation is going to a very good cause.
How do you know you can trust Global Volunteers as a steward of your contributions?
I have been a Global Volunteer since 2008. From day one, I trusted where my money goes and how it is used. Since 2016, I have been a member of the Global Volunteers Board of Directors.
Pam Griffin and Annie Weissman play with children while their moms attend an RCP workshop. 
Pam, Mohammed Kassim, and Nesia Tengelawi (Mama Tony) celebrated ten years of friendship in Tanzania in 2018.
“To give any donation, I have to fully trust and understand where my money goes and how it is used by the organization. By experiencing the RCP program twice — in 2017 and 2018 — as well as serving on four other Tanzania programs before the RCP Program started in Tanzania in 2017, I know and trust my donation is going to a very good cause.”
– Pam Griffin, 7-time Global Volunteer
How did you initially choose Tanzania for giving personally and financially?
I am proud of all the programs and how much Global Volunteers does around the world, but my heart is in Tanzania. I first went there on a photo safari in 2001 and completely fell in love with the country and the people. I knew I wanted to return to volunteer at some point and give what I could to help grow and improve their lives. When I found Global Volunteers in 2008, I knew it was the best program to do just that.
What was your experiences conducting a fundraiser on Facebook? Was it difficult? What sort of response did you receive?
Facebook makes it very easy. It’s intuitive and not difficult at all. As soon as you choose Global Volunteers, the background and details about the organization are populated. It then prompts you to invite friends to donate. I literally invite ALL friends. Of the three fundraisers I’ve done, this last one was the second highest amount I’ve raised. I always make the first donation so everyone knows I am serious about the organization. My closest friends and family know how much I love my trips to Tanzania, so they always support my fundraisers. You just have to share your experiences so people know how much it means to you.
“Facebook makes it very easy. It’s intuitive and not difficult at all. As soon as you choose Global Volunteers, the background and details about the organization are populated. It then prompts you to invite friends to donate.”
– Pam Griffin
What’s your advice to others who may wonder if donations to Global Volunteers will make a difference in the world?
You can definitely trust your donation goes where you have requested, whether it’s to the general fund or a specific country program. Global Volunteers does a great job being as transparent as possible to let you know how your money impacts the children and families where we have partnerships around the globe. Any questions you may have, there is always someone available to answer them.
Jean Vanderlinde and Pam Griffin lead students in songs 
Pam and an RCP Caregiver speak with an RCP mom during a home visit 
Pam walks to a home visit with an RCP Caregiver
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