During the last Indian financial year, spanning from 1st April 2008 to 31st March 2009, CINI has received fewer donations as compared to the previous fiscal cycle. While it is acknowledged that competition for limited financial resources is increasing among a growing number of charities, there is also evidence that individual donors are becoming more prudent in contributing to social causes. The traditional supporters of our work in India are the same middle class persons who, in Western economies, are losing their jobs, their houses and the security of a steady income. Charities such as CINI, which in the developing world have been active in bringing about improvements in the areas of nutrition, health, education and protection for the poor, are now risking losing an important source of support. The growing middle class in India and other Asian countries has started contributing gradually, but it will take years for it to match the levels of contribution that has been built up over time by its counterparts in wealthier nations.
Over the past 35 years, CINI has extended its reach to poor and marginalized communities living both in rural and urban areas, particularly in preventing malnutrition, which is still the commonest cause of childhood mortality in India. With fewer resources available, life-saving programmes are going to suffer. The motivation of professionals who work at CINI on already low salaries will be further tested. We encourage all our donors to keep their faith in the work of CINI. If the practice of giving and sharing continues even during difficult times, there will be an opportunity for those who have been hit by the global financial downturn to cope with the crisis by extending their solidarity to those communities who need help the most now.
Dr. Samir Chaudhuri
Director
It is quite evident that raising funds and resources has become more and more difficult and challenging for social organisations. Individuals and more so the corporates are finding it difficult to part with the money due to liquidity crisis. However, there is one positive aspect to this scenario. The cost of hiring good talent has gone down considerably and it is the right time for charitable organisations to hire talented professionals from reputed institutes and make use of their talent and services. Perhaps, this will discount for lack of resources to some extent.
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