At Give Basic Needs, our mission is driven by two powerful, interconnected goals: to reduce suffering and amplify happiness worldwide. We believe that by addressing fundamental human needs, we pave the way for greater well-being and joy to flourish.
Why this focus? Every day, countless individuals and communities face hardship, lacking essentials such as food, shelter, and medical care. This suffering forms a significant barrier to a happy life. Our approach involves providing vital resources directly to those who need them most. These resources take various forms, including gift cards for groceries, rent assistance, hygiene kits (recognizing the fundamental need for sanitation and often distributed alongside health screenings), funding new boreholes for clean water access, and organized medical screenings.
These actions, even seemingly small gestures like covering the cost of a sandwich, offer immediate relief and create moments of joy. This embodies our core belief: Small Acts. Big Happy.
How does meeting basic needs cultivate happiness? When these fundamental requirements are met and suffering is alleviated, space opens for happiness to thrive. We believe fostering happiness is crucial because, as evidenced by firsthand volunteer experiences and research, happier individuals tend to be more empathetic, solve problems more effectively, and navigate challenges with greater resilience. Kevin Colussi, one of our founders, observed through his extensive work addressing poverty, homelessness, and climate issues that “happy people solve problems more quickly. From the Helena Valley to Oregon to Africa. Happy matters.” This insight underscores our commitment to amplifying happiness.
Our giving events are designed to be uplifting celebrations of the joy inherent in giving. The smiles and expressions of gratitude we witness are immeasurable. These small acts of kindness resonate deeply, serving as beacons of compassion in a fast-paced world. As one recipient gratefully shared, “You guys are so awesome. I’m just glad there’s people out there like yourselves that help people that are unfortunate and in time of need.”
The Profound Impact of Small Acts
We believe that each small gesture, woven together through our collective efforts, contributes to a brighter and more hopeful future. These acts create a positive ripple effect, making the world a better place, one act at a time. Sharing the experience of giving helps spread this message of well-being, resilience, and empowerment. We encourage you to share our stories and connect with us on social media to help spread happiness further.
Our Key Focus Areas: Small Acts. Big Happy. in Action
Give Basic Needs concentrates its efforts on three key areas:
- Food: Addressing food insecurity through initiatives such as providing grocery gift cards or meals, bringing both nourishment and moments of joy.
- Shelter: Alleviating housing challenges by offering rent assistance to ease financial burdens and create pathways to greater financial stability. Recognizing the critical need for safe housing, we also implement projects like providing solar streetlights to enhance safety, support education, and improve community connectivity.
- Medical: Improving access to essential medical services and screenings, which directly contributes to better health, overall well-being, and increased empowerment. Our projects to fund new boreholes provide a crucial and reliable source of clean water, significantly improving health, hygiene, and resilience, particularly for women and children in communities like Pulo and Nabule. Additionally, the provision of hygiene kits addresses fundamental needs often overlooked, offering physical comfort and a powerful message of care.
Join Our Movement
Our mission is fueled by the conviction that together, we can build a world where compassion is the guiding force in human interactions. By reducing suffering and maximizing happiness for all, we lay a stronger foundation for a healthier and more empowered future.
Whether you choose to donate, volunteer your time, or simply help us spread our message, your involvement is vital to the success of our mission. Join us on this journey of positive change, and let’s create Small Acts. Big Happy. together.