Trust and Transparency: A formula for success in NGO

Image is mine

If there is one thing I pride myself on, it is ensuring adequate use of whatever money is spent. As long as I am involved in anything finance, the money must be utilized appropriately. My mom would often joke that I handle money so well that not even a kobo gets embezzled on my watch lol.

So one time while I was still actively involved with the NGO that I started my career with, we had a case that was the first of its kind. Usually we handle cases within our environment, but this particular case was in another region.

The management had resolved to just send the money down, but then when it came to my notice, I insisted that we have staff on the ground because people can be funny. I was of the opinion that once the money gets to their hand, the family of the boy in need of the corrective surgery would most likely not go on with it. They might resort to cheaper and bad alternatives, like traditional ones, and just squander the remainder of the money. Notably, I was not wrong.

So after my explanation, the management agreed with me, but the problem was which staff would be capable of traveling down to cover the event. I saw how the whole thing was going; I mean, if you want something done well, you do it yourself, right?

Well, my maternity leave was cut short as I volunteered to cover the event. I had spoken to my mom about joining me so she can help tend to my baby while I work. My mother agreed, and together with my daughter, we landed in Osun State all the way from Delta.

Now this is where it gets interesting. You know there have been debates that charity work should be done off camera, as a lot of people feel the need to be discreet once helping the needy. But then as an NGO, most of the funds used for these charitable events come from the public. The question is, how do you get people to trust you with their money if you have no work to show?

During the course of that project at Osun state, we had a lot of timely intervention thanks to our public update on the situation. One of these interventions was when the hospital wanted to delay the boys surgery but claimimg they don't have one of the key medications needed for Xray. Knowing fully well that the particular brand is not available anywhere in the country, they asked us to go source it.

It took a short video out of frustration that I posted on my fb to get the hospital to act right as calls and questions started coming in from presidency. After the procedure, you would not believe that the boy's father started harassing me for a share of the money that was gathered for his son's surgery. He said, "I know there are still some monies left and I need my share. You can't tell me, with all these videos you've been making, that the funds gathered were limited."
It was a funny experience indeed, but one handled with care and experience. The good thing is going with my advice to supervise the project in person did save a life from greed.

Subsequently, in projects or situations that I can't be physically present for, it is me always keeping records, asking questions, and being given convincing answers before I part with any kobo. Plus afterwards I must see the work done and have it inspected for authenticity. All these and more has really helped in my practice of fund appropriation.