We are a 501(c)(3) that cares for poor demographics living below the recognized poverty line in developing countries and the US. Our approach is based on building communities rather than merely serving them by looking at what is strong in communities to address what is wrong with them. We aspire to community development and achieving social justice. We develop innovative solutions that are SMART, simple, and have a positive impact.
We are doing business as THE UNIFIED PROJECT and UNIFIED.
MISSION
Support providing basic needs and services to poverty-stricken communities.
VISION
Demonstrate self-resilience and self-reliance come from within.
VALUES
We adopt diversity and inclusion in our work style because we follow the principles of humanitarian action (Humanity, Impartiality, Neutrality, and Independence). Thus, our work is guided and informed by our beliefs and commitments to:
Excellence, Integrity, Equality, Transparency, and Stewardship.
Theory of Change
(our overarching vision for a change)
Excerpting the short story of the famous writer "Paulo Coelho: A father was trying to read the newspaper, but his little son kept pestering him. Finally, the father grew tired of this, and, tearing a page from the newspaper that bore a map of the world, he cut it into several pieces and handed them to his son. 'Right, now you've got something to do. I've given you a world map, and I want to see if you can put it back together correctly.' He resumed reading, knowing that the task would keep the child occupied for the rest of the day. However, a quarter of an hour later, the boy returned with the map. 'Has your mother been teaching you geography?' asked his father in astonishment. 'I don't even know what that is,' replied the boy. 'But there was a photo of a man on the other side of the page, so I put the man back together and found I'd put the world back together too.' read more...
The boy's response sounds random but quite precise. A better living makes a better society because the well-being of communities correlates with the well-being of people contributing to them. When people get hooked on stress, their behavior changes involuntarily due to the pressures life puts on them; they start doing things that worsen their lives. Some incidents make people hostile, exhausted, and depressed, which drains their emotions and mental health. And at some point, they lose hope and believe nothing will get better.
Underserved demographics who suffer homelessness and marginalization feel the same on a larger scale. Their daily stress and challenges make it hard to mainstream and engage in social activities. From a simple humanitarian perspective, every human, regardless of where they come from or where they are, has the right to access water, food, shelter, and health care as survival components. It can get better only if all components are present. Fulfilling the circle of human needs catalyzes underserved communities to overcome their overwhelming daily odds;
Our theory of change is grounded in eliminating vulnerability by tapping into the untapped resources in communities and providing the tools that enable people to learn to grow, recover and thrive.
Practically, transform people's perspectives and attitudes to navigate more opportunities in life. The survival components contribute to supporting or continuing the other. We strive for sustainability and social justice. Therefore our approach is holistic for change to unfold.