When I first dipped my toes into the world of philanthropy, I quickly realized there was much more to it than I had initially imagined. Last year, for example, I attended a seminar about Malaria prevention, and I remember being pleasantly surprised by the passion and dedication of the experts, all determined to share solutions and make an impact in a complex area. But I also remember I felt quite overwhelmed.
Overwhelmed, in the first place, because every cause seemed connected to something else, like billiard balls, one striking the next in an endless chain of collisions. There are just so many challenges in the world—tackling even a tiny fraction of them seemed like an overwhelming task.
Reducing child mortality rates by removing the obstacles that hold kids back can feel a lot like trying to untangle a never-ending knot, and it became clear to me that making a meaningful impact—even in a small area—takes time, effort, collaboration, and a lot of learning.
Take for example children’s health in remote areas—new clinics are built, but poor roads, lack of trained staff, and cultural barriers constantly hinder progress.
Another example is someone like Blandine, who takes vaccinations from one village to another, walking many kilometers every day to take care of other people’s health. However, vaccinations only have a shelf life of 4 hours if they are not kept refrigerated, so by the time she arrives at the next village, they have already lost their effectiveness. As you can see, a successful operation is not just about having the right vaccine—it’s also about how it’s delivered and used. Implementation matters just as much.
I also love learning more about a topic like inclusive education. For kids to truly thrive, an inclusive and supportive classroom is just the beginning. Many children still face challenges growing up in difficult environments—facing violence, neglect, or lack of basic needs—which keeps them from even reaching school. Their chances for education are limited before they even step foot in a classroom.
With the right support, we can help them overcome these barriers and get them into school. The real opportunity lies in finding ways to not only bring these kids into the classroom but also to ensure they stay and succeed.
In other words, if a small change in one area can set off big, sometimes unexpected shifts elsewhere, then where do we even start? But the ripple effect can go either way—bringing tough challenges, or opening the door to something surprisingly good.
For example, a donation to an education program might improve access to schooling, which in turn could lead to higher graduation rates, more people entering the workforce, and eventually improving the economy.
But those improvements could also influence other sectors, like healthcare (more educated people tend to have better health outcomes), or social justice (education can empower individuals to advocate for themselves and others). The interconnectedness of philanthropy shows how efforts to address one problem can also contribute to solving many others, often in ways that aren’t immediately obvious.
It’s like touching one string on a web and seeing ripples spread through the whole structure. But that complexity is also exactly what excites me about it. I love untangling complex problems and trying to find solutions that can have a ripple effect.
It’s also worth noting that some philanthropists intentionally look at the bigger picture, choosing to tackle root causes instead of just symptoms. This approach is about considering how different issues—poverty, education, healthcare, and social inequality—are all related and how addressing one can lead to positive effects across the board.
I quickly learned that to truly commit to this kind of work, it made sense to begin with a cause that deeply resonated with me. Supporting children felt like a natural starting point — a cause I couldn’t ignore and one that I felt personally connected to.
I just love kids. I love the way they think, I love the way they move through the world with infectious curiosity. I love how they don’t seem to care about what others think is appropriate or not. When I was that age, I had a lot of things going on—-so-called first-world problems on a micro-scale. I once cut the hair of my favorite Barbie to give her a different haircut and changed her hair color from blonde to red by using my vilt stifts. The result was disappointing.
But children are also deeply affected by the decisions made by adults. In today’s world, marked by political divisions and conflicts, this impact is especially devastating to witness. And one of the things that honestly surprised me since I got more into this, is how preventable the harmful situations that children find themselves in around the world are. The fact that malaria still exists, that a substantial percentage of children across the world don’t have a proper toilet to use, or that there are still children going to school without having a proper breakfast, is just unfathomable to me.
If philanthropy is about creating ripple effects instead of fixing symptoms, then maybe we can focus on identifying the root causes we can’t ignore—the ones we deeply care about, and do something about them. At the Swart Foundation we are growing a small but loyal tribe of readers who’ll support our mission when funding begins. I’m hopeful that we’re able to help, even in a small way, to remove some of the obstacles that prevent children from having a meaningful, safe, and healthy life.
On top of that, for every book you purchase through my blog, I earn a small commission. From that, I donate 10% to the Malala Fund — just a small, simple act to support girls everywhere in getting the education they deserve.
Here is a list of the last 3 personal letters I’ve sent:
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To learn more about Swart Foundation and our mission, visit www.swartfoundation.org
