R E S U L T S Generating the Political Will to End Hunger and Poverty Each of the great social achievements of recent decades has come about not because of government proclamation, but because people organized, made demands and made it good politics to respond. It is the political will of the people that makes and sustains the political will of governments. James P Grant, former Executive Director, UNICEF RESULTS hope for a Better World In a world where 35,000 children die each day from preventable malnutrition and disease, and in a country where 27 children die each day of poverty, RESULTS offers hope and the possibility for ordinary citizens to make a difference. [RESULTS] provides a road map for global involvement in planning a better future. former President Jimmy Carter. In a world where a billion people live in crushing poverty, and in a country where over 36 million citizens live below the poverty line, RESULTS outlines clear, measurable, and achievable steps toward the empowerment and dignity of all. ...instead of misty idealism, [RESULTS volunteers] always came with a concrete plan with a track record of success in helping the poorest of the world's poor. Alan bock, senior columnist, The Orange County Register In a world suffused with cynicism and despair, RESULTS creates a community of hope and action through a proven system of encouragement and support. What is RESULTS? RESULTS is an international citizens' lobby whose purpose is to create the political will to end hunger and poverty, at home and abroad. RESULTS' commitment to breaking through the widespread belief, "I don't make a difference", is central to achieving this purpose. RESULTS identifies the most cost effective programs which positively impact the lives of the poorest of the poor, and then advocates for increased funding and replication of those programs. Pound for pound, RESULTS is the most effective lobby in Washington. Representative Tony Hall, former Chair, House of Representatives Hunger Caucus RESULTS seeks to ensure that: . 100 million of the world's poorest families, especially the women of those families, are receiving credit for self-employment by the year 2005. Achieving this goal could reach half a billion of the world's poorest people with the opportunity for a dignified route out of poverty. . Each child has the basics of life, beginning with fulfillment of the goals set at the 1990 World Summit for Children, including: 1) Reducing child mortality by at least one-third 2) Reducing maternal mortality and child malnutrition by half 3) Ensuring universal access to basic education, clean water and safe sanitation 4) Halving adult illiteracy --- with an emphasis on female literacy . By the year 2000, U.S. infant mortality rates are to be reduced by one-third, and every child in the U.S. starts school ready to learn. How does RESULTS work? RESULTS uses a unique mix of group empowerment and support which includes monthly national conference calls connecting 300 volunteers with a guest speaker. [RESULTS] has a method that sets a staggering example for other grassroots organizations. Albuquerque Journal RESULTS trains volunteers to speak powerfully to their elected officials, the media, and their local communities in order to inspire members of Congress to be leaders and spokespersons for the end of hunger and poverty. Results count, and RESULTS knows how to get them...RESULTS is a case study in grassroots lobbying. Baltimore Evening Sun RESULTS volunteers meets with their members of Congress, launch letter-writing campaigns, host press conferences, are interviewed on radio and television, write letters to the editor and op-ed pieces, and generate editorials --- all to promote proven solutions to the problems of hunger and poverty. There is not a rich lobby in Washington that wouldn't trade it limos for the group's achievements... Colman McCarthy, The Washington Post Advocacy that Saves Children's Lives Internationally, RESULTS has played a leading role in campaigns which achieved increased U.S. funding of simple and cost-effective methods to combat the unnecessary malnutrition and disease which claim 13 million children's lives each year. 4 million lives saved... RESULTS advocacy contributed to dramatic increases in global child immunization rates, now saving 3 million children's lives each year, and increased use of oral rehydration salts to combat diarrheal dehydration --- saving another 1 million lives each year. I thank you in my mind at least weekly, if not more often, for what you and your colleagues are accomplishing... James P. Grant, former Executive Director of UNICEF, in a letter to RESULTS volunteers RESULTS helps ensure that more U.S. foreign aid is spent where it does the most good for those who most need it: the children of the world's poorest families. Ending hunger at home Domestically, RESULTS advocates for the nationwide elimination of hunger, malnutrition and associated health problems, particularly for children. RESULTS urges full funding of Head Start and crucial nutrition programs. Advocacy that Allows a Dignified Route Out of Poverty Microcredit programs provide tiny loans to very poor people so that they can begin self-employment projects to provide for their families. RESULTS is the leading advocacy group bringing the potential of microcredit lending for self-employment to the attention of elected officials and the media. The Grameen Bank in Bangladesh, with two million borrowers and a 98% repayment rate, is just one example of the power of microcredit as a means of eradicating poverty. Similar programs exist in the United States as well. Real lives --- real solutions Grameen Bank borrowers have increased school enrollments, reduced fertility rates, improved nutrition and basic health, and increased use of clean water. In the U.S., self-employment has been shown to reduce welfare dependency, create enduring businesses and new jobs, and raise self-esteem, income, and assets. RESULTS' eight-year campaign to demonstrate that access to credit is a basic human right, as well as the fastest and least expensive way to end poverty on our planet, has demonstrated dramatic breakthroughs in the consciousness of the foreign aid community. John Hatch, founder, FINCA Who is RESULTS? Thousands of people exactly like you are the members, donors, and volunteers who create these successes. RESULTS advocacy work is funded exclusively through the generosity and commitment of people like you. And RESULTS advocacy work is achieved through the courage and persistence of people just like you: ordinary citizens who have chosen to move beyond voting and to develop relationships with legislators and other decision-makers. Would you like to join us? [ ] I would like to be contacted about participating in a local group. [ ] I would like to make a donation of $__________. [ ] I would like to become a member and receive RESULT' quarterly newsletter, "Entry Point". ($25 regular minimum, $15 students or fixed income) [ ] Enclosed is a check for $________. [ ] Please charge my credit card $___________. _________________________________________________ name __________________________________________________ address ____________________________________________________ city,state,zip _____________________________________________________ home phone work phone [ ] american express [ ] visa [ ] master card ____________________________________________________________ card number expiration date ____________________________________________________________ signature Because RESULTS is a non-partisan citizens lobby, contributions are not tax deductible. RESULTS 236 Massachusetts Ave, NE, Suite 300 Washington, D.C. 20002 (202) 543-9340 results@action.org