Q1:  How do you find national leaders in Africa who are good to work with? 

A1:  Often, African leaders and activists are on the same page on issues, like access to drugs.  The difficulty is frequently in the State’s commitment to follow through on their commitments.  Sisonge works hard to get commitments on the record.  Groups like Pangea can leverage their dollars and technical resources to ensure that commitments are met.  Specific governments that have been good include Botswana and Nigeria. 

Most African leaders are much older than their constituents, and HIV/AIDS arrived like a tsunami.  Health systems simply weren’t able to respond quickly enough.  But leaders relatives are dying too and they want to solve this problem.  Unfortunately, they also have to respond to drivers outside the country on issues such as structural adjustments.

Q2:  How much of the structural problem is associated with foreign debt? 

A2:  Kenya pays $600 million/month in interest on foreign debt, which precludes it from investing in internal priorities like education and health.  Even more than foreign debt, though, African nation’s allocations to defense are a problem.

Q3:  Where is the most leveraged area for private philanthropy in Africa? 

A3:  The Open Society gave a US$300k grant to Friends of Japan, which then got the Japanese government to give $500 million to the Global Fund for AIDS, TB and Malaria, an indirect, but highly leveraged investment.  Also, variety is the spice of life – do what you’re passionate about.  And, education is always a key, both for the short term and the long term. 

Q4:  How can something like the Rabour Village Project be broadened or scaled? 

A4:  Pangea’s funding has already enabled Rabour to extend its programs beyond the village.  Hope can be replicated!  Rabour Village Project is working on protocols that can be shared with, and learned by, other villages.

Q5:  How do you deal with gender inequality as a barrier to change?

A5: You can’t just give money to women’s projects. Ideally, you find organizations that work through traditional male structures but deliver funding to women’s organizations that want to achieve your objective.  Also, longevity is important.  You can’t influence this kind of dynamic with one year of funding, but over time you can make changes.  Finally, you have to think practically as well as strategically.  And, you have to be careful not to spark domestic violence.   

Pangea: Giving for Global Change  |  PO Box 496  |  Mercer Island, WA 98040  |  info@pangeagiving.org