by Penny Phillip

Created on: December 13, 2008   Last Updated: December 14, 2008

By itself, even after conversion to less valuable currencies, $100 can only bring limited help to someone in need, but if used to provide income-generating opportunities it could be the catapult for amazing transformation in the life of a disadvantaged individual or family. The opportunities that can be made available using $100 varies with a person's life circumstances.

Measures that improve basic health or the health of a community so that children can learn and adults can work to their full ability, are often quite inexpensive to provide. Since the children would be healthier, that would mean less time spent by the parents accessing health care, and less burden on the health care facilities. Healthier adults means more productivity and a better chance of generating life-sustaining income.

For example, worm infestation in some developing countries cause large numbers of children to be anemic and malnourished. $100 could provide about 500 deworming treatments, which for a village school in many countries, would mean an entire year of worm-free education (assuming treatments are given two to three times per year). Also, $100 could buy ten mosquito nets, which would provide protection from malaria for at least one and perhaps two, third world families. Since malaria is a major cause of death, school absenteeism and loss of productivity, that could indeed be a life-changer for families at risk.

Education is probably the best high-yield long-term investment in a poor person's life, provided of course, that they enjoy good health. $100 could go a long way toward improving education in impoverished countries. It could stock a school library, purchase school supplies or even provide one child with a laptop, under the One Laptop per Child program. $100 can supply reusable sanitary supplies for three or four impoverished girls in underdeveloped countries so they can attend school during their menses. That princely sum can also cover the cost of a bio-latrine for a school or community in poor areas of the globe, reducing disease and school absenteeism especially among girls.

Often costs of starting small scale business ventures in developing countries are pretty modest. $100 might be all the start-up needed for a sewing venture, a local craft business or a food vendor's stall. $100 could help someone with the transportation and clothing costs necessary to find and begin a new job or to get job training.

You might well think, that's all well and good, but charity begins at home...Well $100 can do lots right here too. Winter clothing, car repair, help with gas or even reconnection of a telephone may be all that stands between a needy person and gainful employment and can be alleviated for $100. With all the discounts and liquidation sales in our present economy, someone with $100 to give could really see those dollars stretch. At least five underprivileged kids (many more, if you're an aggressive bargain hunter) could have something under the tree come Christmas morning, without going one cent over your $100 budget.

If you're wondering how giving gifts for Christmas could change the world, you'd just have to be there to see the joy in those kids' eyes as they rip their gifts open...Sometimes all that is needed to change the world is to give a people a leg up and there are probably 100 ways that $100 could do that.

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