Rather than approaching famine in Africa by simply doling out food, the One Acre Fund (oneacrefund. org) empowers farmers by providing them with the skills and supplies they need to permanently end hunger. OAF field officers organize groups of farmers, supply them with tools, seed, and fertilizer on credit, and train them weekly in how best to grow, store, and market their crops. The charity has been able to double farm income, on average, for every planted acre, and demand for its services is growing exponentially. In 2011, OAF aided 75,000 farm families in Kenya, Rwanda, and Burundi. This year it has helped 130,000 families, and expects to lend a hand to 225,000 in 2013.
Each charity we feature has earned a four-star overall rating from Charity Navigator, which ranks not-for-profit organizations on the strength of their finances, their control of administrative and fundraising expenses, and the transparency of their operations. Four stars is the group’s highest ranking.
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