Mission

To alleviate poverty and promote dignity in marginalized communities across the world.

Commitments:

• To contribute to poverty solutions that are environmentally sustainable
• To catalyze successful transitions out of armed conflict.
• To create socioeconomic opportunities for people disproportionately affected by poverty and violence, such as refugees, internally displaced persons, former child soldiers, disabled persons, ethnic minorities, women, and youth.
• To work in collaboration with stakeholders at the local, national, and international levels to provide context-specific, resource-efficient services.
• To build inclusive communities where all can live with dignity.

How is Ahmsa different?

All of Ahmsa’s implementing staff are local professionals and community members.  Ahmsa believes that local people are the most qualified to design and implement projects, because they know the needs and resources that exist in the communities.

At Ahmsa, contributions are used to empower people and build capacities, not to merely give free charity hand-outs.  Even people living in extreme humanitarian crises learn and grow more when they actively participate in the improvement of their living conditions.  Ahmsa uses a variety of creative initiatives to help instill dignity and self-worth in communities, as opposed to building dependency and a “victim” mentality.  For example, when clothes are donated, Ahmsa gives them to program participants to sell at reduced prices in the community, as opposed to handing them out.  The community benefits from their access to affordable clothing, while the participants benefit from the process of working together and learning money management.  These lessons instill dignity and help prepare the community enterprises for future success.

All of Ahmsa’s poverty alleviation services aim to build community cohesion.  One of the greatest barriers to community development in areas affected by poverty and violence is the lack of trust and support among community members.    Although Ahmsa believes that decent work and wages are the key to long-term development solutions for families, we also recognize that poverty alleviation efforts are limited when they are not coupled with strong community development.  Ahmsa’s programs not only prepare participants in the areas of business administration, entrepreneurship and vocational skills, but also in conflict resolution, identity affirmation, and social values.  By building stronger families and communities via the business cooperative program, Ahmsa prepares communities to take on other difficult challenges, such as access to public services and the threats of drug-trafficking and violence from guerrillas, paramilitaries and gangs.

Ahmsa cooperates with other nonprofits, local governmental agencies and international organizations to maximize our impact in communities.  On one hand, we work with local government so they can build long-term solutions for their constituencies.  On the other hand, Ahmsa seeks out fellow humanitarian organizations to complement their efforts in other important areas, such as housing and health care.