For most of us in the United States life is good when you consider the basics. Most of us have an adequate diet, decent housing and hope for the future. We are privileged.

That’s why we can’t forget those in the world who are not – those who must worry about where the next meal is coming from, where they will sleep tonight and for the most vulnerable of all, the children, who will care for them today?

I started the Integral Life Foundation to assist the underprivileged in our world gain the knowledge and experience necessary to improve their lives. To advance this purpose, Integral Life Foundation embraces a holistic strategy that can be specialized for particular communities where local needs can be addressed.

The research into elimination of worldwide poverty is legion and I couldn’t begin to even summarize the various points of view here. Over time, the approaches to combating hunger and poverty have evolved. Years ago efforts were based on simple charity, giving food and goods to people in need. While laudable in its intent, this approach fails to address the underlying reasons for poverty and hunger.

Giving people money will not improve their lives, their communities or countries. The root causes need to be identified, so a sustainable strategy can be put in place to stabilize a society, and a holistic approach can be followed enabling people to grow their own food, build their own housing, acquire good clothing, live healthy lives and receive an education.

The old adage applies: Give a man a fish and he can eat for a day; teach him how to fish and he can feed himself for a lifetime.

That is the premise on which the Integral Life Foundation operates. We believe that success in fighting hunger and poverty can be achieved in a single generation through economic development and micro-lending opportunities that are placed in the hands of the citizens of the affected countries, so they can pull themselves out of the mire of poverty through their own efforts.

Together with partners such as the C3 Global Orphan Project, which provides housing, food, water and clothing for orphaned and abandoned children, we believe that if we can lift up those in the poorest countries, it will lift up the entire society. A rising tide lifts all boats.

Working with Nueterra Healthcare, we are providing direct medical care to these same orphans in the communities where they reside. The Nueterra Capital Management/C3 Global Growth Fund is providing capital to fund economic development and micro-lending efforts.

By providing individuals with the opportunity and means to develop their own skills and abilities, we strengthen the institutions and services that empower and sustain the entire community.

Our medical director, Brad Gautney, just returned from his latest trip to Haiti as part of our ongoing effort to bring healthcare to as many of the orphans in this impoverished country as we can. Brad visited Port au Prince and several other cities as he checked on healthcare facilities and services, and assessed our Early Infant Detection program that works to reduce the spread of HIV/AIDS.

It’s so gratifying to see the difference that your donations are making. In Lagosette, Brad found that the property is in good condition and has a full garden with nearly 500 banana and plantain trees, as well as a variety of other fruits. The facility has enough acreage that there is room for other agriculture, livestock or fish projects.

Brad also went to the La Fossette Hospital, Ft. Liberty Hospital and Milot Sacred Heart Hospital to assess the impact of the existing EID program. La Fossette is functioning extremely efficiently and effectively with limited resources. Milot Hospital was the first EID program that was piloted in 2007 and was recently transitioned into the Haiti National Program.

ILF is continuing to work aggressively with our partner agencies and key vendors to expand the reach and effectiveness of the EID program. We’re able to do that because of your support, for which I’m extremely grateful.