Six Easy Ways to Change the World Without Leaving Your Desk

Sponsor a child

Okay, this one you may have to leave your desk for, but it’s by far the most rewarding. I’m sure everyone by now realizes the benefits of sponsoring a child, but have you done it yet? I know a lot of people seem to think it’s a scam, or that the children don’t get all of the money you send, and in some cases, this may be true. You need to make sure that the organization you are sponsoring through is legit – maybe ask around a few friends or coworkers. Failing that, I’m sure there are plenty of forums and websites you can ask about certain charities on. I sponsor a child through World Vision, and they (as far as I know) are very trustworthy. Every now and again, you’ll get a letter from your sponsored child (ours likes to write hers in crayon) telling you how they are and what they like doing. You’ll hear about their school as well, which they wouldn’t have been able to go to if it wasn’t for the small amount of money you send each month (in areas like that, a little goes a very, very long way). Each year, you’ll be sent a photo of your sponsored child. You’ll notice as you receive each one, that the smile that started out as a frown has gotten a little bigger.

Drink Fair Trade coffee

We are a nation – nay, a planet – of coffee-drinkers; I understand. In fact, I am one of you. I, too, am willing to pay $5.20 for a small mocha. There’s no shame in that. And if there is, it’s easily buried. But sometimes, it’s difficult to know where that coffee came from; many coffee farmers suffer in sweatshop-like fields, receiving less than the cost of production, a sentence of debt and poverty. Fair trade coffee is the best way to combat this. It’s exactly what the name suggests; coffee importers offer coffee farmers a fair trade for their product, and pay them what it’s worth. This coffee doesn’t look or taste any different to regular coffee, and usually it doesn’t cost any more, so why not drink it? The only difference is that it may result in a case of the warm fuzzies.

Take a look at Mondonation.com

This website has some of the best ideas I’ve ever seen. They’re a company which urges you to literally wear your beliefs – one of the greatest ways of getting them out there. In addition to giving a huge percentage of earnings to charity, they make YOU take responsibility for which charity gets the money, and how much they get. They’re also setting an example for businesses worldwide, proving that you don’t have to be a non-profit organization to make benefiting a greater cause one of your top priorities. Mondonation.com has the perfect balance, and it’s my strong hope that other businesses will follow their lead. They’ve been running since 2006 and so far they have given a total of $96454 to a selection of 45 different charities. Even if you don’t intend to buy from them at the moment, I still recommend that you take a look. If nothing else, they’re likely to inspire.

Spread the word

‘Let someone else do it’ is the attitude that got us into this mess, but in some cases, that can still help. If you still think you can’t have a greater impact on the world, then get your ideas out there for others to take on. Of course, the best and most obvious way of doing this is word of mouth, but once you’ve used up your social network, there are ways to reach more people. My personal favorite way of doing this is to write your cause (web address of your favorite charity, a phone number or the name and address of a shelter) on all your paper money. Money exchanges so many hands that (provided you use a permanent marker) there’s almost no limit on the amount of people you can reach.

All of the charities, organizations, websites and businesses mentioned in this article were included for the sole reason of my personal belief in their benefits. I am not affiliated with any of these companies. I’m not receiving compensation of any kind for writing about them, nor have I been asked by anyone to promote them. Basically I just think they’re the bees knees.