Philosophy Behind Bridge2 Charities.. The Bridge2 charities are run on one fundamental ethos. Simply put, it is to understand and determine the requirements of those in need and then to apply all possible resources to supply what is required. In today’s world it appears that the major worldwide charities blanket cover a disaster situation only to leave it when the dust has settled. Bridge2 work in
a different way as has been proven in Sri Lanka, Haiti and latterly the Philippines and Nepal. Following the Asian Tsunami Sarah Griffith quickly travelled to Sri Lanka and immediately immersed herself in the culture of the country and made it her business to roll up her sleeves and meet those most in need of immediate help. She prioritized the situations she was presented with which ranged from food, access to clean water, medical needs, housing and schooling. By being able to make instant decisions on who to assist Sarah was able to make a difference to people’s lives within a very short space of time. The keyword to Sarah’s ethos is that she listens carefully to what is required and responds accordingly as opposed to major NGO’s who believe they are listening but in fact just scatter aid where they feel it is best needed. But by listening intently Sarah is able to laser target her valuable aid and support. Where Sarah and the Bridge2 charities also differ from so many others can be characterised by one other word........loyalty. She devotes much of her time to following up with the people and projects she has previously funded giving her clear knowledge and an insight into how and where her funds have been spent. Sarah makes a huge effort to present her donors back in Guernsey with photographic evidence of her work so that the donors can see with their own eyes just where and how their money has been spent.
12 years on from the Tsunami Sarah continues to help many of the same families she started with as well as embracing new projects where she channels her energies. She quickly learnt from the outset that rather than throw money at a project or need the best solution was to supply a way whereby a family for example could earn a living. This may simply have been the provision of a sewing machine to produce goods for sale that could sustain a family or the supply of a bicycle that could enable a family to travel further and faster to seek out work, food or as a means of transporting children to remote jungle schools.
